A Single Center Pilot Study on the Use of a Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation Device in CKD Population
NYU Langone Health
Summary
The purpose of this pilot interventional study is to collect preliminary data on the application of a transcutaneous auricular vagal nerve stimulation (taVNS) device in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). This data will enhance understanding of the short-term safety, tolerability and effects of this novel therapeutic approach in the setting of CKD. The primary aims are to investigate the feasibility of the protocol and generate preliminary signals of efficacy and tolerability for two different doses of vagal nerve stimulation. The pilot estimates will be used to design a larger scale study that may lead to potentially targeted interventions to reduce cardiovascular (CV) mortality in the CKD population.
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–80 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: • Individual 18-80 years of age with CKD stage 3-5 (eGFR \<60 mL/min/1.73m2) on most recent outpatient labs. Exclusion Criteria: * Pacemaker dependent * Prisoners * Pregnant women. A pregnancy test will be offered if a subject is concerned about being pregnant. * Not capable of informed consent * Know autonomic function disorder (e.g. Parkinson's disease with autonomic dysfunction) * ICD or PPM precluding assessment of heart rate variability (e.g. chronic atrial fibrillation) * Recent myocardial infarction (4 weeks or less) * Maintenance dialysis * Epilepsy * Patients on…
Interventions
- DeviceTranscutaneous electrical nerve stimulation unit (TENS)
The TENS unit will be applied to participants' right ear at the cymba conchae. The dose is dependent on which arm (Intervention A or Intervention B) the participant is assigned to. Participants will undergo 15 minutes of vagal nerve stimulation.
Location
- NYU Langone HealthNew York, New York