Study of the Effects of Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation on Cancer Patients

March 14, 2024 updated by: Wei Qin, Xidian University

Study of the Effects of Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation on Cancer Patients' Fatigue, Quality of Life and Lymphopenia After Radiotherapy or Chemotherapy

Patients diagnosed with breast cancer who received assisted radiotherapy were recruited and the transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) was applied. The aim of of study is : 1) to study whether taVNS could improve the patient's fatigue, quality of life under radiotherapy or chemotherapy; 2) to investigate the effects of taVNS on the levels of patients' lymphocyte subsets and proinflammatory cytokines.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Completed

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

A prospective, randomized, double-blind, parallel controlled trial was conducted. This trail is to recruit 261 patients. Patients were randomly assigned in 2:1 ratio to two groups: 1) taVNS with conventional radiotherapy(intervention group); 2)sham taVNS with conventional radiotherapy (control group). taVNS was conducted at every radiotherapy day. taVNS stimulation method: for taVNS group, the electrodes were attached to the tragus of left ear after skin preparation with an alcohol pad, the stimulation current was a single-phase rectangular pulse with the following stimulation parameters: duty circle: 60 s "on" periods and 10 s "off" periods; frequency: 30 Hz; pulse width: 200 μs; pulse amplitude of 0.5 mA to 1.5 mA; stimulation time:30 min. For staVNS group, the clip electrodes were also placed on the left tragus but with no current output. The Fatigue Scale (BFI), the European Organization for Reasearch and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire(EORTC QLQ-C30), Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) assessment, lymphocyte subpopulations,level of proinflammatory factors, blood routine testing and electrocardiogram testing were performed within 2 weeks before treatment (baseline), 4 weeks after intervention, end of chemoradiation and 1 month after the end of chemoradiation; weekly blood routine testing during intervention under radiotherapy and chemotherapy; the incidence of side effects and sleep quality score were evaluated at baseline, 2 weeks and 4 weeks after the intervention, at the end of radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and 1 month after the end of radiotherapy. The number of recruited participants met the statistical requirements.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
261

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Locations

  • China
    • Shaanxi
      • Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
        • Xidian University

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years to 65 years (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  1. Participants diagnosed with breast cancer, suitable for adjuvant radiotherapy after surgery;
  2. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) physical condition score: 0~1 point.

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. Participants with organic brain lesions (cerebral hemorrhage, large-area cerebral infarction, encephalitis, epilepsy, etc.);
  2. Participants with peptic ulcer, arrhythmia, or cardiac corrected QT interval> 450ms;
  3. Participants who have slow breathing (less than 10 breaths per minute);
  4. Participants who are or have been diagnosed with other major diseases (coronary heart disease, pulmonary heart disease, etc.);
  5. Participants who are currently or have been diagnosed with mental disorders other than major depressive disorder;
  6. Participants who are or have participated in vagus nerve or transcranial electrical stimulation treatment for less than 3 months;
  7. Participants who are not suitable for vagus nerve stimulation treatment;
  8. Participants who refuse to sign informed consent.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Triple

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Sham Comparator: Sham taVNS
The participants under conventional radiotherapy were applied with sham taVNS at the left tragus with the power off for 30min. The intervention would last until to the end of conventional radiotherapy.
Device: Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation
the transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation was conducted by ear clip with cathode and anode placed at the tragus for 30 min.
Active Comparator: taVNS
For taVNS group, the electrodes were attached to the tragus of left ear after skin preparation with an alcohol pad. The stimulation current was a single-phase rectangular pulse with the following stimulation parameters: duty circle: 60 s "on" periods and 10 s "off" periods; frequency: 30 Hz; pulse width: 200 μs; pulse amplitude of 0.5 mA to 1.5 mA; stimulation time:30 min.
Device: Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation
the transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation was conducted by ear clip with cathode and anode placed at the tragus for 30 min.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
the score of fatigue at 1 month
Time Frame: The taVNS treatment lasted about five weeks, data were collected at 1 month after the end of the taVNS treatment
For fatigue degree evaluation, the Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI) was used. The score of fatigue in two groups will be evaluated by BFI and will be compared. The scale uses the 11-point scoring method, whereby 0 points indicates no fatigue and 10 points the most severe fatigue. A higher score indicates more severe fatigue. The BFI included three fatigue severity items and six fatigue interference items. Three fatigue severity items ask patients to rate the severity of their fatigue at its "worst", "usual" and "now" during the past 24 h and another six fatigue interference items describe how much fatigue has interfered with different aspects of the patient's life during past 24 h, including general activity, mood, walking ability, normal work, relationships with other people and enjoy of life.
The taVNS treatment lasted about five weeks, data were collected at 1 month after the end of the taVNS treatment

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
the scores of HADS at End and at 1 month
Time Frame: The taVNS treatment lasted about five weeks, data were collected at the end of RT and taVNS treatment and 1 month after the end of taVNS treatment
For depression and anxiety degree evaluation, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was used. The HADS is a brief 14-item scale, with seven items in each of the anxiety and depression dimension scored from 0 to 3, resulting in scale scores ranging from 0 to 21.
The taVNS treatment lasted about five weeks, data were collected at the end of RT and taVNS treatment and 1 month after the end of taVNS treatment
the scores of PSQI at End and at 1 month
Time Frame: The taVNS treatment lasted about five weeks, data were collected at the end of RT and taVNS treatment and 1 month after the end of taVNS treatment
For sleep evaluation, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used. The PSQI was a 19-item self-report instrument that includes seven component scores: subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep duration, habitual sleep efficiency, sleep disturbances, sleep medication, and daytime dysfunction.
The taVNS treatment lasted about five weeks, data were collected at the end of RT and taVNS treatment and 1 month after the end of taVNS treatment
the scores of EORTC QLQ-C30 at End and at 1 month
Time Frame: The taVNS treatment lasted about five weeks, data were collected at the end of RT and taVNS treatment and 1 month after the end of taVNS treatment
The quality of life was evaluated by European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30). It included a total of 30 entries, which were divided into 15 domains; among these, there were 5 functional domains (body, role, cognition, mood, and social function), 3 symptom domains (fatigue, pain, and nausea and vomiting), 1 overall health status/quality of life area and 6 single entries (each as a domain). The higher the score for the functional domains and overall health status, the better the functional status and quality of life. The final standardized score ranges from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better quality of life.
The taVNS treatment lasted about five weeks, data were collected at the end of RT and taVNS treatment and 1 month after the end of taVNS treatment
the change of cell counts of blood cells from baseline to End and to 1M.
Time Frame: The taVNS treatment lasted about five weeks, data were collected at the end of RT and taVNS treatment and 1 month after the end of taVNS treatment
Clinical and laboratory parameters, including the cell counts of white blood cell, lymphocyte, neutrophil, platelet, the value of hemoglobin, were extracted from the electronic medical record for all patients.
The taVNS treatment lasted about five weeks, data were collected at the end of RT and taVNS treatment and 1 month after the end of taVNS treatment
the change in IL-6 level from baseline to End and to 1M.
Time Frame: The taVNS treatment lasted about five weeks, data were collected at the end of RT and taVNS treatment and 1 month after the end of taVNS treatment
The levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) was extracted from the electronic medical record for all patients.
The taVNS treatment lasted about five weeks, data were collected at the end of RT and taVNS treatment and 1 month after the end of taVNS treatment
the change in CRP level from baseline to End and to 1M.
Time Frame: The intervention lasted about five weeks, data were collected at the end of RT and taVNS treatment (End) and 1 month after the end of taVNS treatment (1M)
The levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) was extracted from the electronic medical record for all patients.
The intervention lasted about five weeks, data were collected at the end of RT and taVNS treatment (End) and 1 month after the end of taVNS treatment (1M)

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Xidian University

Collaborators

Collaborators

An organization other than the sponsor that provides support for a clinical study. This support may include activities related to funding, design, implementation, data analysis, or reporting.
Air Force Military Medical University, China

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: Wei Qin, Doctor, Xidian University
  • Principal Investigator: Li-Na Zhao, Doctor, The First Affiliated Hospital of the Air Force Medical University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
September 23, 2020

Primary Completion (Actual)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
April 30, 2022

Study Completion (Actual)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
May 30, 2022

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
September 14, 2020

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
September 23, 2020

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
September 24, 2020

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
March 18, 2024

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
March 14, 2024

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
March 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • 20200110

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

YES

IPD Plan Description

the data will be available by the publication of articles

IPD Sharing Time Frame

The information will be available by the publication of articles

IPD Sharing Supporting Information Type

  • STUDY_PROTOCOL
  • CSR

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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