Brain responses to gentle ear stimulation measured with near-infrared light

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This is a single-visit, noninvasive experiment in healthy adult volunteers that records brain activity with functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) while different points on both ears are gently stimulated. Investigators will stimulate auricular points linked to the shoulder, thumb, and lumbar spine using von Frey filaments and measure responses in the primary somatosensory cortex (S1) and prefrontal cortex (PFC). The hypothesis is that stimulation at different ear points will activate distinct areas within the S1 homunculus while producing similar PFC responses, supporting auricular cartography. Cortical responses will be localized and quantified across stimulation sites to compare patterns of activation.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

Age of at least 18 years

Exclusion Criteria:

1. frequent or chronic pain requiring the use of pain-relieving medications more than twice per week, on average, in the last 3 months,
2. history or symptoms of neuropathy,
3. active lesions or skin disruptions to either ear,
4. recent (\< 3 mo) illicit drug use,
5. history of substance misuse/abuse,
6. current or recent (\<1 month) opioid or marijuana use, and
7. current regular use of psychoactive prescription medications

Where it's running

• University of Pittsburgh
  Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Keith Vogt, MD, PhD — University of Pittsburgh
• Study coordinator: Carly Riedmann, MPH
• Email: riedmannca@upmc.edu
• Phone: 412-623-4147

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.