Ear vagus‑nerve stimulation during finger motor training for older adults
Official title: Pairing tVNS With Motor Skill Training in Older Adults
Run by Georgia Institute of Technology · NCT06323954 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will test whether brief, gentle electrical stimulation of the outer ear during finger training helps older adults learn finger force control faster.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 65 Years to 84 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 34 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Georgia Institute of Technology Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Atlanta, Georgia) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | May 27, 2025 |
| Main results expected | September 30, 2026 |
| Study ends | July 31, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | July 22, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT06323954 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are right-handed adults aged 65–84 who are physically and cognitively healthy with no implanted devices, no significant cardiac or brain history, and correctable vision and hearing.
✕Probably not a fit
People with neurological disorders, a history of stroke or brain lesion, implanted medical devices, uncorrected vision or hearing loss, significant hand musculoskeletal problems, or cardiac conditions are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
Older adults will be randomly assigned to receive either transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) at the outer ear or a sham (earlobe) stimulation while they practice a finger force tracing task. Participants come to the lab for four in-person sessions with pre- and post-tests performed without any stimulation and training sessions that include stimulation after successful trials. Stimulation is delivered via surface electrodes placed at the tragus or cymba concha for the tVNS group and on the earlobe for the sham group, and all training uses the left hand. The primary outcome is the rate of motor learning measured by changes in finger force tracing performance across sessions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could speed motor learning in older adults and improve fine finger control for everyday tasks.
How similar studies have gone: Early clinical and preclinical work pairing vagus nerve stimulation with rehabilitation has shown promise for enhancing plasticity and motor recovery, but noninvasive tVNS during motor learning in healthy older adults is relatively new.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * 65-84 years old across all races, genders, and ethnicities. * Physically and cognitively healthy Exclusion Criteria: * Younger than 65 years old or older than 84 years old * Current or history of cardiac disease * Have an implanted device such as a neurostimulator or cochlear implant * Current or history of tympanic membrane perforation * Have a musculoskeletal issue that prevents hand function (e.g., arthritis) * Have a vision problem not corrected by glasses or contact lenses * Uncorrected auditory impairments * Had a stroke or lesion (including tumor) in the brain * Had a head injury or brain surgery * Suffer from frequent or severe headaches * Had a fainting spell or syncope * Have any metal in the head such as shrapnel, surgical clips, or fragments from welding or metal work * Have any implanted device such as cardiac pacemakers, medical pumps, or intracardiac lines * Had any brain-related conditions (i.e. multiple sclerosis, Parkinson, Alzheimer) * Had any illness that caused brain injury (i.e. meningitis, aneurysm, brain tumor) * Had any head trauma that was associated with a loss of consciousness or diagnosed as a concussion * Being treated for any psychiatric condition (i.e. depression, anxiety, PTSD, schizophrenia) * Suspected of pregnancy * Pregnant * Cognitive status issues as confirmed with the Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE \<26) * Musculoskeletal condition or injury that would limit hand range of motion
Where it's running
-
Human Neuromuscular Physiology Lab
Atlanta, Georgia, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Minoru Shinohara, PhD — Georgia Institute of Technology
- Study coordinator: Minoru Shinohara, PhD
- Email: shinohara@gatech.edu
- Phone: 4048941030
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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.