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Frequency Effects of Transcutaneous Trigeminal Nerve Stimulation (eTNS) on Brain and Autonomic Function

21 giugno 2026 aggiornato da: Xidian University

A Randomized, Sham-Controlled, Crossover fMRI Study on the Frequency Effects of Transcutaneous Trigeminal Nerve Stimulation on Central-Autonomic Coupling in Healthy Subjects

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.

Panoramica dello studio

Stato

Reclutamento

Condizioni

Intervento / Trattamento

Descrizione dettagliata

This is an exploratory, randomized, sham-controlled, within-subject crossover fMRI study designed to evaluate the frequency-dependent effects of transcutaneous Trigeminal Nerve Stimulation (eTNS) on central-autonomic coupling in healthy volunteers.

Participants will undergo functional neuroimaging in a 3T MRI scanner. The imaging protocol consists of a structural T1-weighted scan and three functional Blood Oxygenation Level-Dependent (BOLD) sequences corresponding to three intervention arms: 2Hz-eTNS, 120Hz-eTNS, and Sham stimulation. The order of the three stimulation conditions will be randomized for each participant. To minimize potential carryover effects, the structural T1 scan will be acquired between the two active (real) stimulation sequences.

Each functional BOLD sequence will last for 7 minutes and 30 seconds and will utilize a block design. This design consists of alternating 30-second "ON" blocks (where the stimulation is active) and 30-second "OFF" blocks (where the stimulation is inactive).

Concurrently with the fMRI acquisition, continuous physiological monitoring will be conducted. This includes recording respiratory effort and photoplethysmography (PPG) via a finger pulse oximeter to capture peripheral autonomic metrics.

The primary and secondary analyses will focus on quantifying BOLD signal responses, evaluating dynamic changes in brain functional connectivity, assessing variations in autonomic nervous system metrics (such as heart rate variability derived from the PPG), and exploring the mechanisms of central-autonomic coupling across the different stimulation frequencies.

Tipo di studio

Interventistico

Iscrizione (Stimato)

25

Fase

  • Non applicabile

Contatti e Sedi

Questa sezione fornisce i recapiti di coloro che conducono lo studio e informazioni su dove viene condotto lo studio.

Contatto studio

Luoghi di studio

  • Cina
    • Shaanxi
      • Xi'an, Shaanxi, Cina, 71000
        • Reclutamento
        • Xidian University
        • Contatto:

Criteri di partecipazione

I ricercatori cercano persone che corrispondano a una certa descrizione, chiamata criteri di ammissibilità. Alcuni esempi di questi criteri sono le condizioni generali di salute di una persona o trattamenti precedenti.

Criteri di ammissibilità

Età idonea allo studio

  • Adulto

Accetta volontari sani

Sì

Descrizione

Inclusion Criteria:

  1. Healthy volunteers, aged 18 to 40 years old.
  2. Right-handed.
  3. Generally healthy with no history of neurological, psychiatric, or severe cardiovascular diseases.
  4. Normal physical and neurological examinations.
  5. Capable of understanding the study procedures and voluntarily signing the written informed consent form.

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. Contraindications to MRI scanning (e.g., claustrophobia, cardiac pacemakers, artificial cochlea, metallic braces, or any other ferromagnetic implants).
  2. Female participants who are pregnant, lactating, or suspect they might be pregnant.
  3. 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).
  4. 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).
  5. History of substance abuse, heavy smoking, or excessive daily consumption of alcohol or caffeine.
  6. Irregular sleep patterns, shift work, or severe sleep deprivation within 24 hours prior to the scanning session.

Piano di studio

Questa sezione fornisce i dettagli del piano di studio, compreso il modo in cui lo studio è progettato e ciò che lo studio sta misurando.

Come è strutturato lo studio?

Dettagli di progettazione

  • Scopo principale: Scienza basilare
  • Assegnazione: Randomizzato
  • Modello interventistico: Assegnazione incrociata
  • Mascheramento: Separare

Armi e interventi

Gruppo di partecipanti / Arm
Intervento / Trattamento
Sperimentale: 2Hz-eTNS Condition
In this crossover phase, participants will receive 2Hz transcutaneous Trigeminal Nerve Stimulation (eTNS) during the 3T fMRI scan. The stimulation will be delivered during a 7-minute and 30-second BOLD sequence using a block design, which alternates between 30-second "ON" periods (active 2Hz stimulation) and 30-second "OFF" periods (no stimulation).
Dispositivo: 2Hz Transcutaneous Trigeminal Nerve Stimulation
Active electrical stimulation applied over the skin of the forehead targeting the branches of the trigeminal nerve. The stimulation frequency is set at 2Hz. It is synchronized with the fMRI sequence and continuous physiological monitoring (respiration and photoplethysmography).
Sperimentale: 120Hz-eTNS Condition
In this crossover phase, participants will receive 120Hz transcutaneous Trigeminal Nerve Stimulation (eTNS) during the 3T fMRI scan. Similar to other active conditions, the stimulation will be delivered during a 7-minute and 30-second BOLD sequence using a block design, alternating between 30-second "ON" periods (active 120Hz stimulation) and 30-second "OFF" periods (no stimulation).
Dispositivo: 120Hz Transcutaneous Trigeminal Nerve Stimulation
Active electrical stimulation applied over the skin of the forehead targeting the branches of the trigeminal nerve. The stimulation frequency is set at 120Hz. It is synchronized with the fMRI sequence and continuous physiological monitoring (respiration and photoplethysmography).
Comparatore fittizio: Sham-eTNS Condition
In this crossover phase, participants will undergo the same fMRI scanning procedure and wear the exact same electrode pads as the active conditions, but will receive a sham stimulation. This phase also lasts for 7 minutes and 30 seconds and utilizes a simulated 30-second "ON" / 30-second "OFF" block design to maintain double-blinding.
Dispositivo: Sham Transcutaneous Trigeminal Nerve Stimulation
An inactive or sensory-matched sham electrical stimulation designed to mimic the physical sensation of the device being active without delivering the therapeutic frequencies (2Hz or 120Hz). It is administered synchronously with the fMRI BOLD sequence and physiological monitoring to serve as a baseline comparator.

Cosa sta misurando lo studio?

Misure di risultato primarie

Misura del risultato
Misura Descrizione
Lasso di tempo
Difference in Blood Oxygenation Level-Dependent (BOLD) Signal Amplitude in the Brainstem
Lasso di tempo: During the 7-minute and 30-second fMRI scan for each stimulation condition.
The metric is the percent signal change in BOLD amplitude within predefined Regions of Interest (ROIs) of the brainstem (e.g., trigeminal nuclei, locus coeruleus, nucleus tractus solitarii). It is calculated as the BOLD signal difference between the 30-second stimulation "ON" blocks and the 30-second "OFF" blocks. Data will be aggregated as the mean percentage of BOLD signal change for each stimulation condition.
During the 7-minute and 30-second fMRI scan for each stimulation condition.

Misure di risultato secondarie

Misura del risultato
Misura Descrizione
Lasso di tempo
Functional Connectivity (FC) within and outside the Central Autonomic Network
Lasso di tempo: During the 7-minute and 30-second fMRI scan for each stimulation condition.
The strength of dynamic and static functional connectivity between key nodes of the CAN and other whole-brain regions. Connectivity matrices will be computed and compared across the 2Hz-eTNS, 120Hz-eTNS, and Sham conditions to evaluate how different stimulation frequencies modulate brain network communications.
During the 7-minute and 30-second fMRI scan for each stimulation condition.
Change in Heart Rate Variability Assessed by Low Frequency to High Frequency (LF/HF) Ratio
Lasso di tempo: Continuously recorded during the 7-minute and 30-second fMRI scan for each stimulation condition.
The LF/HF ratio is a frequency-domain measure of heart rate variability derived from PPG data, reflecting the sympathovagal balance. Data will be aggregated as the mean LF/HF ratio during each stimulation condition.
Continuously recorded during the 7-minute and 30-second fMRI scan for each stimulation condition.
Change in Respiratory Rate
Lasso di tempo: Continuously recorded during the 7-minute and 30-second fMRI scan for each stimulation condition.
Respiratory rate is extracted from concurrent respiratory belt signals to assess respiratory patterns. Data will be aggregated as the mean respiratory rate (measured in breaths per minute) during each stimulation condition.
Continuously recorded during the 7-minute and 30-second fMRI scan for each stimulation condition.
Central-Autonomic Coupling Index
Lasso di tempo: Computed from data acquired during the 7-minute and 30-second fMRI scan for each stimulation condition.
The degree of synchronization between central neural activity and peripheral autonomic output. This will be quantified by calculating the correlation coefficients or mutual information between the low-frequency fluctuations of the BOLD signals in CAN regions and the concurrent peripheral autonomic time-series data (HRV and respiration). The coupling strength will be compared between the 2Hz and 120Hz conditions.
Computed from data acquired during the 7-minute and 30-second fMRI scan for each stimulation condition.

Collaboratori e investigatori

Qui è dove troverai le persone e le organizzazioni coinvolte in questo studio.

Sponsor

Xidian University

Studiare le date dei record

Queste date tengono traccia dell'avanzamento della registrazione dello studio e dell'invio dei risultati di sintesi a ClinicalTrials.gov. I record degli studi e i risultati riportati vengono esaminati dalla National Library of Medicine (NLM) per assicurarsi che soddisfino specifici standard di controllo della qualità prima di essere pubblicati sul sito Web pubblico.

Studia le date principali

Inizio studio (Stimato)

6 agosto 2026

Completamento primario (Stimato)

20 agosto 2026

Completamento dello studio (Stimato)

20 agosto 2026

Date di iscrizione allo studio

Primo inviato

15 giugno 2026

Primo inviato che soddisfa i criteri di controllo qualità

21 giugno 2026

Primo Inserito (Effettivo)

23 giugno 2026

Aggiornamenti dei record di studio

Ultimo aggiornamento pubblicato (Effettivo)

23 giugno 2026

Ultimo aggiornamento inviato che soddisfa i criteri QC

21 giugno 2026

Ultimo verificato

1 giugno 2026

Maggiori informazioni

Termini relativi a questo studio

Parole chiave

Altri numeri di identificazione dello studio

  • 20260617

Piano per i dati dei singoli partecipanti (IPD)

Hai intenzione di condividere i dati dei singoli partecipanti (IPD)?

NO

Informazioni su farmaci e dispositivi, documenti di studio

Studia un prodotto farmaceutico regolamentato dalla FDA degli Stati Uniti

No

Studia un dispositivo regolamentato dalla FDA degli Stati Uniti

No

Queste informazioni sono state recuperate direttamente dal sito web clinicaltrials.gov senza alcuna modifica. In caso di richieste di modifica, rimozione o aggiornamento dei dettagli dello studio, contattare register@clinicaltrials.gov. Non appena verrà implementata una modifica su clinicaltrials.gov, questa verrà aggiornata automaticamente anche sul nostro sito web .

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