Effect Of Transcutaneous Electroneuro-Stimulation Of The Vagus Nerve On Joint Pain Sequelae Of Chikungunya Fever In The Lower Limbs
Active, not recruitingNot applicableNCT07523126
View the official record on ClinicalTrials.gov Recruiting status changes often. Contact the study team listed on ClinicalTrials.gov, and talk to your doctor before joining a study.
This study has no listed site in Canada in this snapshot. It is included as part of the worldwide chronic pain corpus.
Brief summary (from the registry)
This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (taVNS) in reducing chronic lower limb joint pain in individuals with sequelae of Chikungunya fever. Post-Chikungunya chronic pain is a prevalent and disabling condition associated with persistent inflammation, neuroimmune alterations, and central sensitization mechanisms, which negatively impact functionality and quality of life. Given the lack of specific treatments with established efficacy, vagal neuromodulation emerges as a promising approach. This is a randomized, controlled, parallel, three-arm clinical trial involving adults with chronic joint pain lasting at least three months after Chikungunya infection. Participants will be randomly assigned (1:1:1) to one of three groups: taVNS, peripheral TENS (active control), or sham stimulation (placebo). The study will use a double-blind design for both participants and evaluators. The interventions will take place twice a week for three weeks, totaling six 30-minute sessions. taVNS will be applied to the superior concha of the left ear using standardized parameters, with intensity adjusted to a comfortable sensory threshold. The active control group will receive TENS on the painful joint, while the sham group will receive auricular stimulation without effective vagal activation. The primary outcome will be the change in pain intensity, assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale. Secondary outcomes will include quality of life (SF-36), pressure pain threshold, joint temperature, and functional performance (Timed Up and Go). The analysis will follow the linear mixed-effects using repeated measures models. The results are expected to strengthen the evidence for taVNS as a non-pharmacological intervention for managing chronic post-Chikungunya pain.
Study details
- Official title
- Effect Of Transcutaneous Electroneuro-Stimulation Of The Vagus Nerve On Joint Pain Sequelae Of Chikungunya Fever In The Lower Limbs
- Conditions
- Chronic Pain Management
- Chronic Pain and Comorbid Emotional Problems
- Interventions
- Device: Transcutaneous vagus nerve electrical stimulation
- Device: Transcutaneous eletrical nerve stimuation
- Device: Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation
- Sponsor
- Universidade Federal de Pernambuco
- Start date
- 2025-02-04
- Primary completion
- 2026-04-10
- Sex
- All
- Age range
- from 18 Years
- Results posted
- No results posted in this snapshot
- Countries
- Brazil
- Total sites listed
- 1
Eligibility criteria
Show eligibility criteria (verbatim from the registry)
Inclusion Criteria: * People of either sex who are over 18 years of age, Clinical diagnosis of Chikungunya confirmed by laboratory test and/or medical report; Chronic joint pain in one or more lower limb joints lasting at least 3 months after infection; Ability to ambulate independently or with assistive devices; Intact skin integrity in the auricular region and areas of electrode placement; Residing in the state of Pernambuco. Exclusion Criteria: * Neurological disorders; Decompensated cardiorespiratory diseases; Pre-existing systemic rheumatic diseases prior to Chikungunya infection; History of seizures or epilepsy; Presence of implanted electronic devices (e.g., pacemakers); Pregnancy; Orofacial or ear pain; Skin lesions, infections, or impaired sensation at stimulation sites; Thrombophlebitis, ischemic or ulcerated areas; Neoplasms; Use of medications or substances that increase seizure risk; Current participation in other physiotherapy treatments during the study period; Conditions that prevent attendance at the study site.
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov (US National Library of Medicine), snapshot October 2026. Check the registry for current recruiting status. Record: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07523126