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Welcome to our STIMPACT Study – Thank you for your interest!

We are excited about your interest in our study! Your contribution helps us investigate whether a non-invasive treatment called transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) can help reduce fatigue and improve the quality of life for people with Post-COVID Syndrome or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS).

In this study, we aim to explore how stimulating the vagus nerve—a key nerve that regulates vital body functions such as heart rate, digestion, and inflammation—might help balance these systems and alleviate symptoms of fatigue.

What does participation involve?

If you participate in the study:

  • You will use a small device at home that delivers gentle electrical impulses to a specific area in your ear to activate the vagus nerve. This device is designed to stimulate neural pathways that may influence symptoms related to fatigue and autonomic function
  • To assess the effects of this stimulation, the study includes two different interventions, referred to as Intervention A and Intervention B. Each participant will receive both interventions at different time points, and we aim to compare their effectiveness.
  • Additionally, you will complete online surveys, keep a digital diary, and wear activity and heart rate trackers to monitor your body’s responses and better understand the effects of the treatment.

Screening process:

This short screening questionnaire (approximately 10 minutes) ensures that you meet the inclusion and exclusion criteria for the study and are eligible to participate.
We kindly ask you to answer all questions truthfully, as accurate information is essential for the quality of our research.

Please note: Completing the screening does not guarantee a spot in the study. We appreciate your understanding, as we may not be able to include all interested participants due to specific requirements and capacity limitations.

Important information:

  • You can stop the screening at any time without providing a reason.
  • You can request access to your data or ask for its deletion at any time by contacting us.
  • Your data will only be processed for research purposes and handled in accordance with applicable data protection regulations.
  • The screening phase will be concluded by end of July 2025.

Consent declaration:

By clicking “Next,” you confirm your agreement with the following points:

  1. I have read and understood the information about the study.
  2. I agree to participate in the screening to assess my eligibility for the study.
  3. I understand that I can stop the screening at any time without any disadvantages.
  4. I agree to the processing of my data for research purposes in accordance with data protection regulations.

Thank you for considering participation in this important study. If you are ready, you can proceed with the screening questionnaire below.