Treatment of Fibromyalgia and PTSD With Live and Inactive Vagus Nerve Stimulation With PEPC (SWIFT-RELIEVE)

July 17, 2026 updated by: VA Office of Research and Development

SWIFT-RELIEVE : Simultaneous Treatment of Widespread Pain In Fibromyalgia and PTSD: Randomized Evaluation of Live vs. Inactive Electrical VNS With PE-PC

Fibromyalgia (FM) pain and PTSD are highly prevalent and comorbid with associated increased risk of negative physical and mental health outcomes, including higher risk for opioid use and suicide. This project is designed to determine the effects of a 4 week trial of a device for pain management [transauricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS)] on pain interference and intensity [Pain, Enjoyment, and Activity General Scale (PEG)] and PTSD. The investigators will also examine how this impacts the Veterans by examining heart rate variability (HRV) as a stress response related biomarker. The investigators plan to randomize 180 Veterans (estimate up to 360 enrolled) with co-morbid FM and PTSD across pain integrated care and PTSD sites in this prospective study and compare: 1) active taVNS for pain + Prolonged Exposure in Primary Care (PE-PC) and 2) sham taVNS + PE-PC. Study includes 4 weeks of randomized treatment and 4 weeks of voluntary open label treatment. Veterans are assessed (self report & interview measures, heart rate variability by wearable device) at Intake, Baseline/Post Run-In, Week 2, Week 4, Week 8 and 4 month follow-up. The investigators plan to retain data after the study for potential future use in research.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Not yet recruiting

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

The investigators' goal is to test whether providing simultaneous non-drug treatments for both FM and PTSD improves symptom impact on both conditions. taVNS, a non-invasive neuromodulatory technique applied to the auricular branch of the vagus nerve, has preliminary efficacy in reducing chronic pain and reducing PTSD severity in Veterans with PTSD and in an opioid withdrawal population. PE-PC is a form of Prolonged Exposure, a gold standard treatment for PTSD, that is designed for integrated care and effectively reduces PTSD severity. In addition, taVNS applied with the proposed device significantly reduced PCL-5 scores by 35% from baseline to Day 5 in adults withdrawing from opioid. Within this high-risk comorbid population, adding a non-opioid pain intervention provided within the context of effective PTSD treatment promises to increase impact on both pain and PTSD. The combination requires minimal additional 'in clinic' time, may be provided in-home or via telehealth, and each is available in VA standard care. Study results can inform implementation for this combined intervention and speed its use in clinics. Thus, more Veterans will have access to effective care for FM and PTSD, supporting a priority of POU-AMP and the VA National Strategy for Preventing Suicide (2018). In summary, the investigators will examine whether pain is reduced with PTSD treatment in FM, and whether addition of taVNS can augment this effect compared to sham.

Design: The investigators will randomize 180 Veterans with co-morbid FM and PTSD from across AVAHCS to receive: 1) taVNS for pain + PE-PC or 2) sham taVNS + PE-PC. taVNS administered daily for 2 hours for 4 weeks. PE-PC is provided in six 30-minute sessions up to 3 times per week. Assessments will be collected at Intake, Baseline/Post Run-In, Week 2, Week 4, and [4 month follow-up]. Primary outcome will be posttreatment (week 4) Pain, Enjoyment and General Activity Scale (PEG). Secondary outcomes include Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire Revised (FIQR), Polysymptomatic Distress Scale (PSD), PTSD (PCL-5 weekly version). Biomarker analysis will examine the association of HRV [(baseline & trauma cued).

Aim (1): Examine additive efficacy of 1) taVNS+PE-PC and 2) sham taVNS+PE-PC on FM-related pain interference and intensity in the context of PE-PC for PTSD [Primary Outcome: PEG scale and PTSD symptom severity [Secondary Outcome: PCL5, weekly].

Hypothesis 1a: taVNS+PE-PC will result in larger reductions in pain interference and intensity than sham taVNS+PE-PC ([Baseline] to Week 4). Differences will be maintained at [4-month follow-up].

Hypothesis 1b: taVNS+PE-PC will result in larger reductions in PTSD severity than sham taVNS+PE-PC ([Baseline] to Week 4). Differences will be maintained at [4-month follow-up].

Exploratory Aim: Evaluate changes in HRV (baseline & trauma cued) as a biomarker of response associated with FM-related pain and PTSD severity improvement in taVNS+PE-PC and sham taVNS+PE-PC.

Exploratory Hypothesis: taVNS+PE-PC will result in greater change in HRV compared to sham+PE-PC. This proposal targets the Pain and Opioid Use Actively Managed Portfolio (POU-AMP) research priority of pragmatic clinical trials for treatment of painful conditions using non-pharmacological approaches. The long-term objective is improving Veteran health through focused combined intervention for FM and PTSD.

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 (Estimated)

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.
180

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.
  • Phase 3

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 Contact Backup

Study Locations

  • United States
    • Georgia
      • Decatur, Georgia, United States, 30033-4004
        • Atlanta VA Medical and Rehab Center, Decatur, GA
        • Contact:
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Anna Woodbury, MD
        • Contact:
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Sheila A.M. Rauch, PhD

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

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  1. Subjects must be any era Veterans reporting FM and PTSD symptoms (PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) ≥ 28; FM confirmed with ACR Diagnostic Criteria and pain score at least 4/10 for 3 months [94]
  2. Subjects must speak English
  3. If subjects are taking psychotropic medication, 2-weeks on stable dose prior to enrollment and agreement to maintain current medications until after the [4-month follow-up visit]

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. Subjects must not have other primary clinical issues that would interfere with FM or PTSD treatment such as recent stroke or severe heart disease
  2. Subjects must not have a level of suicide risk that requires intervention as determined by item 9 on PHQ-9 with follow-up risk assessment by study staff
  3. Subjects must not have severe cognitive impairment that interferes with PE-PC (unable to retain information in acute interaction)
  4. Subjects must not have unmanaged psychosis or bipolar disorder
  5. Subjects must not have moderate to severe substance use disorder in the past 8 weeks
  6. Subjects must not be currently receiving talk therapy for trauma-related symptoms or FM
  7. Subjects must not be currently pregnant or lactating given risk of pre-term labor and interference of oxytocin with VNS effects

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: Crossover Assignment
  • Masking: Quadruple

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.
Experimental: taVNS plus PEPC
Transauricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) provided for 2 hours per day for weeks. Frequency: 25 Hz on inner region (ABVN), 100Hz on outer region (ATN), Pulse width: 250 µs, Duty cycle: 5 minutes on, 10 second off. Stimulation is combined with 6, 30 minute sessions on Processing Emotions in Primary Care (PEP) brief PTSD psychotherapy provided over 4 weeks.
Device: taVNS plus PEPC
The research version of Spark's Sparrow Ascent for vagus nerve stimulation provided through a sticker that attaches to the ear. This device allows the patient to self apply the device in a home setting. It is FDA cleared and available in VA. Stimulation is combined with 6, 30 minute sessions on Processing Emotions in Primary Care (PEP) brief PTSD psychotherapy provided over 4 weeks.
Other Names:
  • Sparrow Link
Sham Comparator: Sham plus PEPC
Sham will use the same device and schedule with a brief individualized suprasensory stimulation followed by a ramp down over 2 minutes. Sham is combined with 6, 30 minute sessions on Processing Emotions in Primary Care (PEP) brief PTSD psychotherapy provided over 4 weeks.
Device: sham
Same device as active condition but programmed with sham parameters including suprasensory stimulation followed by ramp down. Sham is combined with 6, 30 minute sessions on Processing Emotions in Primary Care (PEP) brief PTSD psychotherapy provided over 4 weeks.
Other Names:
  • Sparrow Link

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
Pain Intensity [Pain, Enjoyment, and General Activity Scale (PEG)]
Time Frame: Intake, Baseline, Week 2, Week 4, Week 8, 4 month followup
Single item rating past week average intensity of pain on a scale from 0 (none) to 10 (As bad as I can imagine)
Intake, Baseline, Week 2, Week 4, Week 8, 4 month followup
Pain Interference with Enjoyment [Pain, Enjoyment, and General Activity Scale (PEG)]
Time Frame: Intake, Baseline, Week 2, Week 4, Week 8, 4 month followup
Single item rating of average pain interference with enjoyment of life over the past week on a 0 (no interference) to 10 (completely interfered).
Intake, Baseline, Week 2, Week 4, Week 8, 4 month followup
Pain Interference with Activity [Pain, Enjoyment, and General Activity Scale (PEG)]
Time Frame: Intake, Baseline, Week 2, Week 4, Week 8, 4 month followup
Single item rating of average pain interference in general activity over the past week on a 0 (no interference) to 10 (completely interfered).
Intake, Baseline, Week 2, Week 4, Week 8, 4 month followup

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
PTSD Checklist for DSM 5 (PCL-5)
Time Frame: Intake, Baseline, Week 2, Week 4, Week 8, 4 month followup
Total sum of each of 20 items covering PTSD symptom ratings for the past week each scored on a 0 (not al all) to 4 (extremely) scale. Total score ranges from 0 to 80.
Intake, Baseline, Week 2, Week 4, Week 8, 4 month followup

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.
VA Office of Research and Development

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: Sheila A.M. Rauch, PhD, Atlanta VA Medical and Rehab Center, Decatur, GA
  • Principal Investigator: Anna Woodbury, MD, Atlanta VA Medical and Rehab Center, Decatur, GA

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 (Estimated)

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.
January 1, 2027

Primary Completion (Estimated)

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.
December 31, 2030

Study Completion (Estimated)

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.
December 31, 2030

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).
July 15, 2026

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.
July 17, 2026

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.
July 22, 2026

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.
July 22, 2026

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.
July 17, 2026

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.
July 1, 2026

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.
  • RRDA-009-25W
  • 1-I01-RD-000404-01-A2 (Other Grant/Funding Number: eRA Number)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

YES

IPD Plan Description

A deidentified dataset will be available with publication per policy of the journal on publication or upon appropriate request after all primary statement of work analyses are published.

IPD Sharing Time Frame

Upon publication if required and after publication of all primary statement of work analyses upon appropriate request.

IPD Sharing Access Criteria

Data will available from request to the principal investigator after all publications are released.

IPD Sharing Supporting Information Type

  • STUDY_PROTOCOL
  • ICF

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

Yes

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

Yes

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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