Medical Information Only. Always consult your healthcare provider before enrolling in any clinical trial.
Understanding the Effects of Transcutaneous Auricular Neurostimulation for Treatment of Chronic Pain
NCT05555485 · View on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
Study Summary
The purpose of the study is to find out how a stimulation device worn on the ear works. This device is thought to stimulate nerves in the area around the ear to change the signals in the brain. The device has been shown to reduce pain and to reduce the symptoms of withdrawal. The investigator will also investigate changes in the way each participant perceive sensations of pressure and heat. The participant will be asked to reduce the amount of pain medication that they take. Then, the participant will spend several days and nights in the Clinical Research Center at UTMB (University of Texas Medical Branch) in Galveston. During that time, the participant will be monitored for withdrawal symptoms and will receive either active (e.g., "real") brain stimulation or sham (e.g., "fake") brain stimulation for two days (four hours each day). At two times over the course of the study (before and after ear stimulation treatment), the participant will complete questionnaires about their pain score and how they are feeling, sensory testing, and will undergo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of their brain. The investigator will collect the following information from the participant's medical record: age, gender, medication history, medical diagnoses, recent vital signs, past doctor visits or hospital stays, and results of urine drug tests. Participation in this study will last approximately four days, and the participant will stay in the Clinical Research Center.
Conditions Studied
Interventions
- DEVICE transcutaneous Auricular neurostimulation - Active
- DEVICE transcutaneous auricular neurostimulation - Sham
Study Locations (1)
Texas
- University of Texas Medical Branch — Galveston
Trial Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Enrollment Target | 60 participants |
| Start Date | 2023-05-24 |
| Est. Completion | 2027-09-30 |
| Phase | NA |
Interested in This Trial?
Always speak with your doctor before enrolling in a clinical trial.
Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗What the Registry Record Tells You About NCT05555485
The ClinicalTrials.gov registry entry for NCT05555485 describes a study currently listed as recruiting. It is categorized as NA, which is the standard way researchers label where a study sits along the investigational pathway from early safety work through later efficacy and post-marketing evaluation. The registered enrollment target is 60 participants, a figure that helps gauge the scale of data the investigators plan to collect. The listed sponsor is The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, which has 132 total studies on file at ClinicalTrials.gov, and sponsors are the parties responsible for study design, oversight, and regulatory filings.
The record links to 2 conditions, with Analgesia appearing as the primary indexed condition, and to 2 interventions — of which transcutaneous Auricular neurostimulation - Active is the first listed. Interventions can include drugs, devices, procedures, behavioral programs, or observational arms, and each is tracked as a separate registry field so that downstream queries can filter accurately. When a trial lists multiple interventions, it usually reflects a multi-arm design or a comparison protocol rather than a single treatment being tested in isolation. The brief summary published in the registry is the clearest source of protocol intent and should be read before drawing conclusions from any sidebar tags.
Geographic footprint matters for practical reasons: NCT05555485 reports 1 study location spanning 1 distinct geographic area — top geographies include Texas. A larger site network tends to correlate with broader recruitment capacity, but it does not imply anything about study quality, and site-level enrollment status can diverge from the overall registry status shown above. Every data point on this page comes from the public ClinicalTrials.gov dataset and is reproduced here for reference only; it is not a medical recommendation, an endorsement of the sponsor, or an invitation to enroll. Verify current status, eligibility criteria, and contact details directly at ClinicalTrials.gov, and discuss any participation decision with your own healthcare provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is clinical trial NCT05555485 about?
NCT05555485 is a clinical study titled "Understanding the Effects of Transcutaneous Auricular Neurostimulation for Treatment of Chronic Pain". The purpose of the study is to find out how a stimulation device worn on the ear works. This device is thought to stimulate nerves in the area around the ear to change the signals in the brain. The device has been shown to reduce pain and to reduce the symptoms of withdrawal. The investigator will a...
What is the current status of trial NCT05555485?
This trial is currently recruiting. It is a NA study. The enrollment target is 60 participants. The study started on 2023-05-24. Estimated completion is 2027-09-30.
What conditions does trial NCT05555485 study?
This clinical trial studies the following conditions: Analgesia, Opioid Withdrawal. These conditions were identified from the trial registry and reflect the primary focus areas of the research.
What interventions are being tested in trial NCT05555485?
The interventions under investigation include: transcutaneous Auricular neurostimulation - Active (DEVICE), transcutaneous auricular neurostimulation - Sham (DEVICE). Each intervention is being evaluated for safety and efficacy as part of this clinical study.
Who is sponsoring clinical trial NCT05555485?
This trial is sponsored by The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, which has 132 total clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. The sponsor is responsible for the study's design, funding, and regulatory compliance.
Where is trial NCT05555485 being conducted?
This trial has 1 study location across Texas. Contact the study sites directly through ClinicalTrials.gov for enrollment availability.
Learn More About Clinical Trials
How Clinical Trials Work
Understand phases 1-4, trial design, randomization, and the informed consent process.
Patient Rights in Clinical Trials
Your rights as a participant: consent, withdrawal, privacy, and who to contact.
Finding the Right Clinical Trial
A practical guide to searching trials, understanding eligibility, and evaluating options.
All Guides
Browse our complete library of clinical trial educational resources.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.