At-home ear neurostimulation for chronic post-stroke upper limb pain
Official title: Investigating the Feasibility, Efficacy, and Renormalization of Pain-Regulation Brain Circuits Underlying At-Home Transcutaneous Auricular Neuromodulation (tAN) for Managing Chronic Post-Stroke Pain
Run by Medical University of South Carolina · NCT07144436 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study will try daily at-home ear nerve stimulation for people with chronic upper-arm pain after a stroke to see if it lowers their pain.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 80 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 24 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Medical University of South Carolina Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (Charleston, South Carolina and 1 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | January 8, 2026 |
| Main results expected | June 30, 2027 |
| Study ends | June 30, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | September 11, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07144436 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults aged 18–80 with ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke at least six months earlier who have chronic post-stroke upper extremity pain, can consent in English, and can undergo MRI are the intended candidates.
✕Probably not a fit
People with primary intracerebral hematoma or subarachnoid hemorrhage, documented dementia, uncontrolled psychiatric disorders or hypertension, MRI contraindications, or who are pregnant would not be eligible and are unlikely to benefit from this protocol.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
Up to 24 adults with chronic post-stroke upper extremity pain will self-administer transcutaneous auricular neurostimulation (tAN) at home for four weeks and be compared with a sham group. Participants will undergo brain imaging before and after the treatment period to measure pain-related brain activity and connectivity changes. The trial aims to test feasibility and symptom change from at-home tAN while exploring imaging biomarkers that track or predict response. Treatment is non-invasive and self-applied, with clinic visits required for enrollment and MRI scans.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could offer a non-drug, non-invasive at-home option to reduce chronic post-stroke upper limb pain.
How similar studies have gone: Small studies of non-invasive auricular nerve stimulation have suggested pain-relief signals, but using tAN specifically for chronic post-stroke pain with MRI biomarker work is novel and not yet proven.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age 18-80 * Have the capacity and ability to provide one's own consent in English and sign the informed consent document. * Ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke that occurred at least 6 months prior Exclusion Criteria: * Primary intracerebral hematoma or subarachnoid hemorrhage * Documented history of dementia * Documented history of uncontrolled depression or psychiatric disorder * Uncontrolled hypertension despite treatment, specifically SBP (Systolic Blood Pressure) / DBP (Diastolic Blood Pressure) \>=180/100mmHg * Contraindicated for MRI scanning * Pregnancy
Where it's running
-
30 Bee Street
Charleston, South Carolina, United States Recruiting -
Medical University of South Carolia
Charleston, South Carolina, United States Not yet recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Xiaolong Peng, Ph.D. — Medical University of South Carolina
- Study coordinator: Institutional RBFHR Recruitment Contact
- Email: suttonf@musc.edu
- Phone: 843-792-9502
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.