At a glance
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Extending taVNS Paired With Infant CIMT Into a Home-Based Setting: Technology Development Requisite for a Randomized Trial
In Brief
A Early Phase 1 clinical trial evaluating Custom EMG triggered Soterix taVNS stimulation with CIMT therapy in lab and Custom EMG triggered Soterix taVNS stimulation with CIMT therapy in home for Cerebral Palsy. Completed, enrolled 4 participants across 1 site.
Detailed Summary
Newborns who are born premature or suffer brain injury at birth are at risk for motor problems that may cause weakness in reaching and grasping on one side of the body. In older children, therapists may use a hand mitt and restraint for the stronger arm, to encourage use of the weaker side, called constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT). Even with the high intensity therapy of CIMT, it typically takes between 40-120 hours total treatment time for most children to improve their motor skills. A non-invasive form of nerve stimulation, transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS), stimulates a nerve by the ear that enhances learning motor skills. taVNS stimulation will be triggered by EMG sensors which detect muscle activity. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of taVNS to improve motor skills when paired with CIMT in infants with one-sided weakness at 6-18 months of age.
Study Details
Timeline
Interventions
Participants will receive taVNS stimulation paired with 40 hours of constraint-induced movement therapy. The new device will automatically trigger stimulation using EMG muscle sensors worn during the therapy session. Phase 1 will occur in the lab, and ongoing notifications will be made to the EMG system to test feasibility of automatic stimulation
Participants will receive taVNS stimulation paired with 40 hours of constraint-induced movement therapy. The new device will automatically trigger stimulation using EMG muscle sensors worn during the therapy session. Phase 2 will occur in the home and will assess the quality of the CIMT therapy provided with the automated EMG system.