Frequency Effects of Transcutaneous Trigeminal Nerve Stimulation (eTNS) on Brain and Autonomic Fu… (NCT07662291) | Clinical Trial Compass
RecruitingNot Applicable
Frequency Effects of Transcutaneous Trigeminal Nerve Stimulation (eTNS) on Brain and Autonomic Function
China25 participantsStarted 2026-08-06
Plain-language summary
This study aims to investigate how different frequencies of transcutaneous Trigeminal Nerve Stimulation (eTNS) affect brain activity and the autonomic nervous system in healthy individuals. Participants will undergo a 3T functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scan while receiving three different types of nerve stimulation: 2Hz eTNS, 120Hz eTNS, and a sham (inactive) stimulation. The order of these stimulations will be randomly assigned. During the brain scan, researchers will simultaneously monitor the participants' breathing and heart rhythms (using a finger sensor). The main goal is to understand how changing the frequency of eTNS influences the connection between the brain's networks and the body's unconscious physiological responses.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 35 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion criteria
. Healthy volunteers, aged 18 to 40 years old.
. Right-handed.
. Generally healthy with no history of neurological, psychiatric, or severe cardiovascular diseases.
. Normal physical and neurological examinations.
. Capable of understanding the study procedures and voluntarily signing the written informed consent form.
Exclusion criteria
. Contraindications to MRI scanning (e.g., claustrophobia, cardiac pacemakers, artificial cochlea, metallic braces, or any other ferromagnetic implants).
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Difference in Blood Oxygenation Level-Dependent (BOLD) Signal Amplitude in the Brainstem
Timeframe: During the 7-minute and 30-second fMRI scan for each stimulation condition.
. Female participants who are pregnant, lactating, or suspect they might be pregnant.
. Contraindications to transcutaneous electrical stimulation (e.g., personal or family history of epilepsy/seizures, trigeminal neuralgia, facial skin lesions, or active skin diseases on the forehead).
. Current or recent (within the past month) use of any medications known to affect the central nervous system or the autonomic nervous system (e.g., antidepressants, beta-blockers, sedatives, or sympathomimetics).
. History of substance abuse, heavy smoking, or excessive daily consumption of alcohol or caffeine.
. Irregular sleep patterns, shift work, or severe sleep deprivation within 24 hours prior to the scanning session.