Effects of the Timing of Vagus Nerve Stimulation Combined With Exercise in Chronic Neck Pain
Not yet recruitingNot applicableNCT07769034
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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 randomized controlled trial aims to investigate whether the timing of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) relative to exercise influences clinical and autonomic outcomes in individuals with chronic neck pain. Participants will be randomly allocated to one of three groups: taVNS applied before exercise, taVNS applied after exercise, or exercise alone. All groups will receive a standardized exercise program designed for chronic neck pain. The intervention will be conducted over a 6- to 8-week period. The effects of the interventions will be evaluated using pain intensity, neck-related disability, sleep quality, heart rate variability, and exercise adherence. The study will determine whether applying taVNS before or after exercise provides additional benefits compared with exercise alone and whether the timing of stimulation influences treatment outcomes.
Study details
- Official title
- Does Timing Matter? Effects of Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation Before and After Exercise in Chronic Neck Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial
- Conditions
- Interventions
- Device: Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation (taVNS)
- Other: Exercise Program
- Sponsor
- Kutahya Health Sciences University
- Start date
- 2026-09-14
- Primary completion
- 2027-06-30
- Sex
- All
- Age range
- from 18 Years to 65 Years
- Results posted
- No results posted in this snapshot
- Countries
- Turkey (Türkiye)
- Total sites listed
- 1
Eligibility criteria
Show eligibility criteria (verbatim from the registry)
Inclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of chronic neck pain confirmed by a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician. * Age between 18 and 65 years. * Neck pain persisting or recurring for at least 3 months. * Ability to participate in the exercise program included in the study protocol. * No contraindication to transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation. * Willingness to provide written informed consent. * Willingness to participate regularly in the planned exercise and assessment sessions. Exclusion Criteria: * Cervical radiculopathy or specific neurological findings. * Previous cervical spine surgery. * Serious cardiovascular disease. * Serious neurological or systemic disease. * Pregnancy. * Orthopedic or musculoskeletal conditions preventing participation in exercise. * Cognitive or communication problems that prevent completion of the assessment instruments. * Inability or unwillingness to comply with the study protocol or attend scheduled sessions.
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov (US National Library of Medicine), snapshot October 2026. Check the registry for current recruiting status. Record: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07769034