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Synergistic Gut-brain Axis Modulation Via Vagal Stimulation and Support Therapy in Functional Dyspepsia

Synergistic Gut-brain Axis Modulation Via Vagal Stimulation and Support Therapy in Functional Dyspepsia

Status
Recruiting
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT06360900
Acronym
CONVERGE
Enrollment
80
Registered
2024-04-11
Start date
2025-10-29
Completion date
2029-03-01
Last updated
2026-07-15

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Functional Dyspepsia

Brief summary

The study aims at evaluating physiological and patient-reported outcomes for a dual intervention approach including a stimulation device and support therapy in patients with functional dyspepsia.

Interventions

DEVICESensory device

Sensory vagal nerve stimulation

BEHAVIORALSkills Building

Skills Building behavioral therapy

BEHAVIORALHealth Education

Education of FD condition

DEVICESubsensory device

Subsensory vagal nerve stimulation

Sponsors

Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital
Lead SponsorOTHER
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
CollaboratorNIH

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
FACTORIAL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE (Subject, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

Age 18-65 years old (inclusive) * Ability to give written consent and participate in behavioral intervention in English * Willingness to attend weekly treatment sessions over live video, daily self-administered transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) sessions, and engage in homework during treatment * Avoidance of alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine for 24 hours prior to study session * Diagnosis according to the Rome IV criteria for both epigastric pain syndrome and postprandial distress syndrome subtypes * Stable medical treatment for functional dyspepsia (FD) during 1 month before the study and during the study period

Exclusion criteria

* Previous receipt of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for gastrointestinal symptoms * Enteral or parenteral feeding * Previous gastrointestinal surgery, electrolyte disturbances, kidney dysfunction, renal insufficiency, or iron overload disorders * Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) \< 60 * Medications that affect gastrointestinal motility in addition to medications or products containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) will be stopped at least 7 days prior to the start of the study and for the duration of the study. However, anti-depressants (SSRI's, TCA's) may be allowed in order to reduce the risk of worsening neuropsychiatric disease, though it will be up to the study team and the Principal Investigator whether subjects on anti-depressants will be able to participate in the study * Intellectual disability by history * Diabetes, mitochondrial disease, severe autonomic dysfunction, and small fiber polyneuropathy * No active clinical acupuncture therapy * Illicit drugs or opioid usage * History of arrhythmias * Current pregnancy/breastfeeding * Contraindications for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (implanted ferromagnetic objects, claustrophobia) * Weight \> 450 lbs. (limit of the MRI table) * Allergy to pineapple (used in the test meal during MRI) * Any other condition interfering with study requirements, according to the Investigator

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Visceral Sensitivity Index (VSI)8 weeks (post-treatment)GI-related anxiety; score ranging from score ranging from 0 to 75, with higher scores indicating worse outcomes

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Gastric peristaltic velocity8 weeks (post-treatment)MRI-derived gastric motility outcome
Nepean Dyspepsia Index (NDI)8 weeks (post-treatment)FD symptoms severity; score ranging from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating worse outcomes

Countries

United States

Contacts

CONTACTLuca McKerley Coronado
convergestudy@mgb.org857-238-0962

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Jul 16, 2026