Modelling and Control of Non-invasive Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Autoimmune Diseases (1A) (VaNeSA)

The overall goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the causality relationship between the non vagus nerve stimulation waveform parameters and the therapeutic effect. Thus, unlocking a pathway to optimize parameters that maximize the benefits of therapy and minimize unwanted side effects. The experimental design includes the analysis of physiological signals, clinical biomarkers of disease, and clinical outcomes to determine the most effective measures for the monitoring, optimization, and personalization of non vagus nerve stimulation in systemic lupus erythematosus disease.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus; Autoimmune Disorder; Vagus Nerve Autonomic Disorder
• Intervention / Treatment: Device: Sham Intervention; Device: Parasym 30Hz; Device: Parasym 1Hz

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 18
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Judith Navarro, MD; Phone Number: 0034; Email: JNAVARR1@clinic.cat

Study Locations

• Spain
  • Barcelona, Spain, 08036
    • Recruiting
    • Hospital Clinic
    • Contact: Judith Navarro, MD; Phone Number: 93 227 54 00

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) (defined by the American College of Rheumatology- or SLICC criteria)
• Musculoskeletal pain ≥ 4 on a non-anchored VAS 10 cm scale
• BILAG C on Musculoskeletal Domain of the BILAG 2004
• If on corticosteroids, the dose must be stable and ≤ 10mg/day (prednisone or equivalent) for at least 28 days before baseline,
• If on background immunosuppressive treatment the dose must be stable for at least 28 days before baseline
• Able and willing to give written informed consent and comply with the requirements of the study protocol.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Treatment with rituximab within one year of baseline as it is related to lymphocyte depletion that could alter the result of the biomarker study (subjects with previous treatment with rituximab can enter study only with documentation of B cell repletion).
• Treatment with cyclophosphamide within 2 months of baseline as it is related to lymphocyte depletion that could alter the result of the biomarker study.
• Expectation to increase steroids and/or immunosuppressive treatment.
• Anti-phospholipid syndrome.
• Fibromyalgia (fibromyalgia will be defined as a score > 13 on the Fibromyalgia Symptom Scale), chronic fatigue syndrome.
• Treatment with an anti-cholinergic or sympathicomimetic medication, including over the counter medications.
• Implantable electronic devices such as pacemakers, defibrillators, hearing aids, cochlear implants or deep brain stimulators.
• Joint replacement within 60 days prior to study enrolment or planned within the course of the study.
• Any planned surgical procedure requiring general anaesthesia within the course of the study.
• Intra-articular cortisone injections within 28 days of the start of study.
• Chronic inflammatory disorders apart from SLE affecting the joints.
• Investigational drug and/or treatment during the 28 days or seven half-lives of the investigational drug prior to the start of study drug dosing (Day 0), whichever is the greater length of time.
• Active infection including hepatitis B, hepatitis C or HIV at baseline due to high prevalence of neuropathy.
• Any condition which, in the opinion of the investigator, would jeopardize the subject's safety following exposure to a study intervention.
• Pregnancy or lactation.
• Haemoglobin below 9.0 gm/dL (by the most recent CBC) as anaemia is related to no- neurogenic orthostatic hypotension and increases cardiovascular symptoms in COMPASS 31 scale
• Comorbid disease that may require administration of corticosteroid use.
• Inability to comply with study and follow-up procedures.
• Known cardiac arrhythmia, severe cardiac disease or neurodegenerative disease.
• Known or confirmed at baseline screening peripheral or autonomic nervous system involvement, including LES-related, toxic polyneuropathies, metabolic neuropathies (including diabetes), etc.
• Previous experience with vagus nerve stimulation devices

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Screening
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

3

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Sham Comparator: Sham; Control group to be subjected to sham stimulation.	Device: Sham Intervention; Sham stimulation
Experimental: 30 hertz (Hz) Stimulation; Group of patients treated via 30Hz transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation	Device: Parasym 30Hz; Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation of 30Hz
Experimental: 1Hz Stimulation; Group of patients treated via 1Hz transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation	Device: Parasym 1Hz; Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation of 1Hz

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Number of patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus with clinical and analytic change after non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation (nVNS) at different waveform parameters	We will develop an nVNS platform with an integrated nVNS decision support system, including nVNS and physiological wearable sensors, that will optimize nVNS waveform parameters to maximize the therapeutic effect while minimizing unwanted side effects. Therapeutic effect and side effects will be measured by clinical, neurophysiological and analytic tests as described in "secondary outcome measures".	Visit 1(baseline, exploratory study, up to 30days prior to first nVNS)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Blood count	Complete blood count	Baseline, after five days of stimulation and 1 month after stimulation. Additionally, 2 and 3months after stimulation if the biomarkers and scales of activity do not return to baseline levels
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate	Marker of inflammatory conditions, mm/h	Baseline, after five days of stimulation and 1 month after stimulation. Additionally, 2 and 3months after stimulation if the biomarkers and scales of activity do not return to baseline levels
C-reactive protein	Markers of inflammatory conditions, mg/dl	Baseline, after five days of stimulation and 1 month after stimulation. Additionally, 2 and 3months after stimulation if the biomarkers and scales of activity do not return to baseline levels
Anti-dsDNA	Serological marker of activity in Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) ui/ml	Baseline, after five days of stimulation and 1 month after stimulation. Additionally, 2 and 3months after stimulation if the biomarkers and scales of activity do not return to baseline levels
C3, C4	Serological markers of activity in Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) g/l	Baseline, after five days of stimulation and 1 month after stimulation. Additionally, 2 and 3months after stimulation if the biomarkers and scales of activity do not return to baseline levels
Tumoral necrosis factor (TNF), Interleukin (IL) -6, IL-10 and Il1B	Levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, pg/ml	Baseline, after five days of stimulation and 1 month after stimulation. Additionally, 2 and 3months after stimulation if the biomarkers and scales of activity do not return to baseline levels
High mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1)	Levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, ui	Baseline, after five days of stimulation and 1 month after stimulation. Additionally, 2 and 3months after stimulation if the biomarkers and scales of activity do not return to baseline levels
Alpha interferon (IFNα)	Ratios of IFNα protein, ui	Baseline, after five days of stimulation and 1 month after stimulation. Additionally, 2 and 3months after stimulation if the biomarkers and scales of activity do not return to baseline levels
EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D-5L),	EQ-5D-5L questionaries. Minimum 1, maximum 3, higher scores mean a worse outcome.	Baseline, days 1-2-3-4-5 of nVNS, after five days of nVNS, after 2 weeks of nVNS, after3 weeks of nVSN. Additionally, 2 and 3months after stimulation if the biomarkers and scales of activity do not return to baseline levels and 1 month after nVNS.
Lupus Patient-Reported Outcome (LupusPRO)	Lupus PRO questionaries. Minimum 0, maximum 5, higher scores mean a worse outcome.	Baseline, days 1-2-3-4-5 of nVNS, after five days of nVNS, after 2 weeks of nVNS, after3 weeks of nVSN. Additionally, 2 and 3months after stimulation if the biomarkers and scales of activity do not return to baseline levels
Lupus Quality of Life (LupusQoL)	Lupus QoL questionaries. Minimum 1, maximum 7, higher scores mean a worse outcome.	Baseline, days 1-2-3-4-5 of nVNS, after five days of nVNS, after 2 weeks of nVNS, after3 weeks of nVSN. Additionally, 2 and 3months after stimulation if the biomarkers and scales of activity do not return to baseline levels
Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy - Fatigue (FACIT-F)	FACIT-F scale. Minimum 0, maximum 4, higher scores mean a worse outcome.	Baseline, days 1-2-3-4-5 of nVNS, after five days of nVNS, after 2 weeks of nVNS, after3 weeks of nVSN. Additionally, 2 and 3months after stimulation if the biomarkers and scales of activity do not return to baseline levels
Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS)	FSS. Minimum 1, maximum 7, higher scores mean a worse outcome.	Baseline, days 1-2-3-4-5 of nVNS, after five days of nVNS, after 2 weeks of nVNS, after3 weeks of nVSN. Additionally, 2 and 3months after stimulation if the biomarkers and scales of activity do not return to baseline levels
Composite Autonomic Symptom Score (Compass-31)	Self-scoring Compass 31 autonomic assessment. Minimum 0, maximum 100, higher scores mean a worse outcome.	Baseline, after five days of stimulation and 1 month after stimulation. Additionally, 2 and 3months after stimulation if the biomarkers and scales of activity do not return to baseline levels
28-joint count	28-joint count will be used to assess articular involvement.	Baseline, days 1-2-3-4-5 of nVNS, after five days of nVNS, after 2 weeks of nVNS, after3 weeks of nVSN. Additionally, 2 and 3months after stimulation if the biomarkers and scales of activity do not return to baseline levels
Physician's Global Assessment (PGA)	PGA as non-specific activity scale. Minimum 0, maximum 3, higher scores mean a worse outcome.	Baseline, days 1-2-3-4-5 of nVNS, after five days of nVNS, after 2 weeks of nVNS, after3 weeks of nVSN. Additionally, 2 and 3months after stimulation if the biomarkers and scales of activity do not return to baseline levels
Patients' Global Assessment (PtGA)	PtGA as non-specific activity scale. Minimum 0, maximum 100, higher scores mean a worse outcome.	Baseline, days 1-2-3-4-5 of nVNS, after five days of nVNS, after 2 weeks of nVNS, after3 weeks of nVSN. Additionally, 2 and 3months after stimulation if the biomarkers and scales of activity do not return to baseline levels
Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus Disease Area and Severity Index (CLASI)	CLASI will be used to evaluate skin involvement.Minimum 0, maximum 100, higher scores mean a worse outcome.	Baseline, days 1-2-3-4-5 of nVNS, after five days of nVNS, after 2 weeks of nVNS, after3 weeks of nVSN. Additionally, 2 and 3months after stimulation if the biomarkers and scales of activity do not return to baseline levels
Numeric scale ranges (NRS)	11-point NRS scale for pain. Minimum 0, maximum 10, higher scores mean a worse outcome.	Baseline, days 1-2-3-4-5 of nVNS, after five days of nVNS, after 2 weeks of nVNS, after3 weeks of nVSN. Additionally, 2 and 3months after stimulation if the biomarkers and scales of activity do not return to baseline levels
Visual Analog Scale (VAS)	VSA for pain. Minimum 0, maximum 10, higher scores mean a worse outcome.	Baseline, days 1-2-3-4-5 of nVNS, after five days of nVNS, after 2 weeks of nVNS, after3 weeks of nVSN. Additionally, 2 and 3months after stimulation if the biomarkers and scales of activity do not return to baseline levels
High-frequency power, low-frequency power	Continuous electrocardiogram will be recorded at rest for 5 minutes for heart rate variability (HRV) analysis (high-frequency power HF, low-frequency power LF), m2	Baseline, after five days of stimulation and 1 month after stimulation. Additionally, 2 and 3months after stimulation if the biomarkers and scales of activity do not return to baseline levels
LF to HF power ratio	Continuous electrocardiogram will be recorded at rest for 5 minutes for heart rate variability (HRV) analysis ( LF to HF power ratio)	Baseline, after five days of stimulation and 1 month after stimulation. Additionally, 2 and 3months after stimulation if the biomarkers and scales of activity do not return to baseline levels
Cardiovagal evaluation. (Composite autonomic scoring scale)	Continuous electrocardiogram heart rate changes during deep breathing and postural changes (beats per minute).Composite autonomic scoring scale minimun 0, maximum 3, higher scores mean a worse outcome.	Baseline, after five days of stimulation and 1 month after stimulation. Additionally, 2 and 3months after stimulation if the biomarkers and scales of activity do not return to baseline levels
Vasalva ratio	Continuous electrocardiogram heart rate changes during Valsalva manoeuvre (ratio).	Baseline, after five days of stimulation and 1 month after stimulation. Additionally, 2 and 3months after stimulation if the biomarkers and scales of activity do not return to baseline levels
Sympathetic evaluation (Composite autonomic scoring scale)	Beat-to-beat blood pressure changes to isometric exercise, Valsalva manoeuvre and postural changes, (mmHg). Composite autonomic scoring scale minimun 0, maximum 4, higher scores mean a worse outcome.	Baseline, after five days of stimulation and 1 month after stimulation. Additionally, 2 and 3months after stimulation if the biomarkers and scales of activity do not return to baseline levels
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K)	Disease-specific activity scale. Minimum 0, maximum 105, higher scores mean a worse outcome.	Baseline, days 1-2-3-4-5 of nVNS, after five days of nVNS, after 2 weeks of nVNS, after3 weeks of nVSN. Additionally, 2 and 3months after stimulation if the biomarkers and scales of activity do not return to baseline levels
BILAG-2004	Disease-specific activity scale. Minimum 0, maximum 32, higher scores mean a worse outcome.	Baseline, days 1-2-3-4-5 of nVNS, after five days of nVNS, after 2 weeks of nVNS, after3 weeks of nVSN. Additionally, 2 and 3months after stimulation if the biomarkers and scales of activity do not return to baseline levels

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Hospital Clinic of Barcelona
• Collaborators: Johns Hopkins University; Imperial College London; Hospital Mutua de Terrassa; Universitat de Girona

Publications and helpful links

Helpful Links

• Framework of the general project lead by Iván Contreras : VaNeSA

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): September 30, 2022
• Primary Completion (Estimated): October 1, 2024
• Study Completion (Estimated): October 1, 2024

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: October 4, 2022
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 19, 2023
• First Posted (Actual): January 30, 2023

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): February 28, 2024
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 26, 2024
• Last Verified: February 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Vagus Nerve Stimulation; Parasympathetic Nervous System
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Nervous System Diseases; Immune System Diseases; Connective Tissue Diseases; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic; Autoimmune Diseases; Primary Dysautonomias; Autonomic Nervous System Diseases
• Other Study ID Numbers: PID2020-117171RA-I00-1A

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

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.: No