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Transcranial Electrical Stimulation for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

N/A
Recruiting
Led By Vladimir Nekhendzy, MD
Research Sponsored by Stanford University
Eligibility Criteria Checklist
Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial
Must have
All patients will be American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) physical status II-III
Patients with moderate-to-severe OSA, presenting for PPP and MMA surgeries
Must not have
Patients with a known or suspected genetic susceptibility to malignant hyperthermia, or known sensitivity to Sevoflurane, an inhaled anesthetic agent
Patients with the history of seizures
Timeline
Screening 3 weeks
Treatment Varies
Follow Up through the recovery room stay, on average 2.5 hours

Summary

This trial will test whether transcranial electrostimulation can help with postoperative pain after surgery for obstructive sleep apnea.

Who is the study for?
This trial is for patients with moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea who are undergoing specific surgeries (PPP and MMA). Participants must be in stable physical condition (ASA II-III) and able to understand the study. Excluded are those with skin issues where electrodes would go, certain anesthetic allergies, pregnancy, comprehension difficulties, substance abuse problems, seizure history or significant psychological disorders.
What is being tested?
The study tests if transcranial electrostimulation (TES), which applies a weak electrical current to the head's skin, can improve pain relief and recovery after surgery for sleep apnea without drug-related side effects. It aims to see if TES can offer non-pharmacological pain control by blocking central nervous system pain.
What are the potential side effects?
Since TES is non-pharmacological—meaning it doesn't use drugs—it avoids traditional medication side effects. However, potential risks may include discomfort at the electrode sites or unforeseen reactions related to the electrical stimulation.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below
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My health is fair to severe but not life-threatening.
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I have moderate-to-severe sleep apnea and am getting surgery for it.

Exclusion Criteria

You may be eligible for the trial if you check “No” for criteria below:
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I am allergic or sensitive to certain anesthesia or have a genetic risk for reaction.
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I have a history of seizures.
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I have had major surgery on my head or eye.
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I have a history of serious mental health issues, including hallucinations or delusions.
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I have skin issues where the TES electrodes will be placed.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks
Treatment ~ Varies
Follow Up ~through the recovery room stay, on average 2.5 hours
This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and through the recovery room stay, on average 2.5 hours for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.
Primary study objectives
Opioid requirements during first postoperative TES session
Pain scores during first postoperative TES session
Postoperative opioid consumption during recovery room stay
+1 more
Secondary study objectives
Change from baseline in QoR15 score (Quality of Recovery 15-question score)
Post-discharge postoperative opioid consumption
Postoperative opioid consumption during hospital stay

Trial Design

3Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Placebo Group
Group I: TES 60 Hz DC:ACExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Transcranial electrostimulation (TES) with combined direct (DC) and alternating (AC, 60 Hz) current
Group II: TES 100 Hz DC:ACActive Control1 Intervention
Transcranial electrostimulation (TES) with combined direct (DC) and alternating (AC, 100 Hz) current
Group III: TES with DC currentPlacebo Group1 Intervention
Transcranial electrostimulation (TES) with direct current (DC) only

Find a Location

Who is running the clinical trial?

Stanford UniversityLead Sponsor
2,468 Previous Clinical Trials
17,496,237 Total Patients Enrolled
Vladimir Nekhendzy, MDPrincipal Investigator - Stanford University
Stanford Hospital, Stanford Hospital and Clinic
First Leningrad I P Pavlov Medical Inst (Medical School)
University Ca Sf School Of Medicine (Residency)
3 Previous Clinical Trials
60 Total Patients Enrolled

Media Library

Transcranial electrostimulation (TES) Clinical Trial Eligibility Overview. Trial Name: NCT03735004 — N/A
Transcranial Electrical Stimulation Research Study Groups: TES 60 Hz DC:AC, TES with DC current, TES 100 Hz DC:AC
Transcranial Electrical Stimulation Clinical Trial 2023: Transcranial electrostimulation (TES) Highlights & Side Effects. Trial Name: NCT03735004 — N/A
Transcranial electrostimulation (TES) 2023 Treatment Timeline for Medical Study. Trial Name: NCT03735004 — N/A
~5 spots leftby Nov 2025