Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Interventional Ages 11 to 18

Testing a device for pain relief in children with post-concussion syndrome and COVID symptoms

Official title: A Prospective Study on the Effect of Auricular Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Field Stimulation (PENFS) in Patients With Post Concussion Syndrome (PCS)

Run by Children's Hospital of Orange County · NCT04978571 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing a device that uses tiny needles on the ear to see if it can help children with post-concussion syndrome and COVID symptoms feel better.

More Post-Concussion Syndrome trials

Quick facts

Study typeInterventional
Ages11 Years to 18 Years
SexAll
Enrollment125 (estimated)
SponsorChildren's Hospital of Orange County
Academic / other
Locations1 site (Orange, California)
StatusRecruiting
StartedFebruary 1, 2021
Main results expectedDecember 2026
Study endsJanuary 2027
Registry record updatedOctober 21, 2026
Trial IDNCT04978571 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates are children aged 11-18 with a clinical diagnosis of Post-Concussion Syndrome or post-COVID symptoms lasting more than 3 months.

Probably not a fit

Patients with significant developmental delays, seizure disorders, or those with implanted electrical devices will not benefit from this study.

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

What this trial studies

This study evaluates the effectiveness of Auricular Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Field Stimulation (PENFS) in children suffering from Post-Concussion Syndrome and post-COVID-19 symptoms. Participants will receive either an active or a nonactive Neurostim device, which is applied to the outer ear through tiny needles. The study involves neurological and cardiological assessments, and participants may be involved for up to 12 weeks depending on their group assignment. The aim is to determine if this treatment can alleviate symptoms and improve functioning in affected children.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could provide significant relief from pain and improve quality of life for children suffering from post-concussion and post-COVID symptoms.

How similar studies have gone: While the specific application of PENFS in this context is novel, similar approaches using electrical stimulation for pain relief have shown promise in other studies.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Concussion:

Inclusion Criteria:

* Clinical diagnosis of Post-Concussion Syndrome
* Post-Concussion Symptoms for at least 3 months along with lack of other explanation for their symptoms
* English and Spanish-speaking families

Exclusion Criteria:

* Seizure disorders
* Significant developmental delay
* Infection or severe dermatological condition of ear
* Bleeding disorders
* Implanted electrical device

COVID:

Inclusion Criteria

* Child is in between the ages 11-18
* Child is present at CHOC Neurology clinic post covid-19 symptoms of more than 3 months duration along with lack of other explanation for their symptoms
* English-speaking and Spanish-speaking families

You cannot participate in this study if you meet the following exclusion criteria:

* Children with significant developmental delay, infection or severe dermatological condition of ear, bleeding disorders, or having any implanted electrical device will be excluded.
* Are not able to attend Friday appointments for the Neurostim placements.

Where it's running

  • CHOC Children's
    Orange, California, United States
    Recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

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.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.