Effect of Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation on Pain and Symptoms in Primary Dysmenorrhea
27 giugno 2026 aggiornato da: Hüsniye Merve Demirer, Istanbul Gelisim University
The Effect of Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation on Pain, Menstrual Symptoms, Depression, and Anxiety in Young Adults With Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Randomized Single-Blind Controlled Trial
This study aims to investigate the effects of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) on menstrual pain, pain threshold, depression, anxiety, menstrual symptoms, premenstrual syndrome, and functional and emotional impact of dysmenorrhea in young adult women with primary dysmenorrhea.
Panoramica dello studio
Stato
Completato
Condizioni
Descrizione dettagliata
Primary dysmenorrhea is a common condition affecting young women and is associated with significant physical and psychological symptoms. Non-invasive neuromodulation techniques such as transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) have gained attention as potential therapeutic approaches.
In this randomized controlled study, women diagnosed with primary dysmenorrhea will be randomly assigned to either an active taVNS group or a sham stimulation group. The intervention will be applied during the luteal phase between two consecutive menstrual cycles, totaling 10 sessions.
Outcome measures will include pain intensity, pain threshold, depression, anxiety, menstrual symptoms, premenstrual syndrome severity, and functional and emotional impact of dysmenorrhea.
Tipo di studio
Interventistico
Iscrizione (Effettivo)
40
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.
Luoghi di studio
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Avcılar
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Istanbul, Avcılar, Turchia (Türkiye)
- Istanbul Gelisim University
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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
No
Descrizione
Inclusion Criteria:
- Female participants aged 18 years and older
- Diagnosed with primary dysmenorrhea (PD)
- Having regular menstrual cycles within the last 6 months
- Reporting menstrual pain intensity of at least 40 mm on the Visual Analog Scale (VAS)
- Willingness to participate in the study and providing informed consent
Exclusion Criteria:
- Diagnosis of secondary dysmenorrhea
- Irregular menstrual cycles
- Menstrual cycle length shorter than 21 days or longer than 35 days
- History of pregnancy or childbirth, or current pregnancy
- Use of intrauterine device (IUD) or oral contraceptives
- Current use of sedative, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, or psychotropic medication
- History of pelvic surgery or presence of pelvic pathology
- Presence of chronic, systemic, cardiovascular, or neurological diseases (e.g., diabetes mellitus, hypoglycemia, bradycardia, hypotension, hypotonic disorders, etc.)
- Presence of ear implants, ear wounds, or ear infections
- Presence of implanted electronic devices such as pacemakers
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: Trattamento
- Assegnazione: Randomizzato
- Modello interventistico: Assegnazione parallela
- Mascheramento: Separare
Armi e interventi
Gruppo di partecipanti / Arm |
Intervento / Trattamento |
|---|---|
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Sperimentale: Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS)
Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) 10 sessions during luteal phase
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Participants in the experimental group received real transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS).
The intervention was applied during the luteal phase between the first and second menstrual cycles.
A total of 10 sessions were administered.
Stimulation was delivered using a non-invasive device targeting the auricular branch of the vagus nerve.
Altri nomi:
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Comparatore fittizio: Sham transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation
Sham transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation 10 sessions during luteal phase
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Participants in the control group received sham transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (placebo stimulation).
The procedure mimicked the real stimulation protocol in terms of duration and application schedule but without delivering effective vagal nerve stimulation.
A total of 10 sessions were administered during the luteal phase between the first and second menstrual cycles.
Altri nomi:
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Cosa sta misurando lo studio?
Misure di risultato primarie
Misura del risultato |
Misura Descrizione |
Lasso di tempo |
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Menstrual pain intensity
Lasso di tempo: Baseline (Cycle 1, Day 1 or Day 2 of menstruation). Cycle 2, Day 1 or Day 2 of menstruation (approximately one menstrual cycle [21-35 days] after baseline).
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Menstrual pain intensity is assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS).
Scores range from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates the worst imaginable pain.
Higher scores indicate greater pain intensity.
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Baseline (Cycle 1, Day 1 or Day 2 of menstruation). Cycle 2, Day 1 or Day 2 of menstruation (approximately one menstrual cycle [21-35 days] after baseline).
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Pain threshold
Lasso di tempo: Baseline (Cycle 1, Day 1 or Day 2 of menstruation). Cycle 2, Day 1 or Day 2 of menstruation (approximately one menstrual cycle [21-35 days] after baseline).
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Pain threshold is assessed using a pressure algometer.
The pressure pain threshold is recorded in lb/cm².
Higher values indicate a higher pressure pain threshold and lower pain sensitivity.
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Baseline (Cycle 1, Day 1 or Day 2 of menstruation). Cycle 2, Day 1 or Day 2 of menstruation (approximately one menstrual cycle [21-35 days] after baseline).
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Misure di risultato secondarie
Misura del risultato |
Misura Descrizione |
Lasso di tempo |
|---|---|---|
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Depression level
Lasso di tempo: Baseline (Cycle 1, Day 1 or Day 2 of menstruation). Cycle 2, Day 1 or Day 2 of menstruation (approximately one menstrual cycle [21-35 days] after baseline).
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Depression levels are assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI).
The BDI is a 21-item self-report questionnaire with total scores ranging from 0 to 63.
Higher scores indicate more severe depressive symptoms.
Scores of 0-9 indicate minimal, 10-16 mild, 17-29 moderate, and 30-63 severe depressive symptoms.
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Baseline (Cycle 1, Day 1 or Day 2 of menstruation). Cycle 2, Day 1 or Day 2 of menstruation (approximately one menstrual cycle [21-35 days] after baseline).
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Anxiety level
Lasso di tempo: Baseline (Cycle 1, Day 1 or Day 2 of menstruation). Cycle 2, Day 1 or Day 2 of menstruation (approximately one menstrual cycle [21-35 days] after baseline).
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Anxiety levels are assessed using the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI).
The BAI is a 21-item self-report questionnaire with total scores ranging from 0 to 63.
Higher scores indicate more severe anxiety symptoms.
Scores of 0-17 indicate low anxiety, 18-24 moderate anxiety, and 25-63 high anxiety.
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Baseline (Cycle 1, Day 1 or Day 2 of menstruation). Cycle 2, Day 1 or Day 2 of menstruation (approximately one menstrual cycle [21-35 days] after baseline).
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Menstrual symptoms
Lasso di tempo: Baseline (Cycle 1, Day 1 or Day 2 of menstruation). Cycle 2, Day 1 or Day 2 of menstruation (approximately one menstrual cycle [21-35 days] after baseline).
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Menstrual symptoms are assessed using the Menstrual Symptom Questionnaire (MSQ).
The questionnaire consists of 22 items across three subscales: Negative Effects/Somatic Complaints (13 items), Menstrual Pain Symptoms (6 items), and Coping Methods (3 items).
Each item is scored on a 5-point Likert scale from 1 (never) to 5 (always).
Total scores range from 22 to 110, with higher scores indicating more severe menstrual symptoms.
Higher subscale scores indicate greater severity of symptoms within the corresponding domain.
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Baseline (Cycle 1, Day 1 or Day 2 of menstruation). Cycle 2, Day 1 or Day 2 of menstruation (approximately one menstrual cycle [21-35 days] after baseline).
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Premenstrual syndrome severity
Lasso di tempo: Baseline (Cycle 1, Day 1 or Day 2 of menstruation). Cycle 2, Day 1 or Day 2 of menstruation (approximately one menstrual cycle [21-35 days] after baseline).
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Premenstrual syndrome symptoms are assessed using the Premenstrual Syndrome Scale (PMSS).
The PMSS is a 44-item self-report questionnaire with nine subscales: depressive affect, anxiety, fatigue, irritability, depressive thoughts, pain, appetite changes, sleep changes, and bloating.
Each item is scored on a 5-point Likert scale from 1 (never) to 5 (always).
Total scores range from 44 to 220, with higher scores indicating greater severity of premenstrual syndrome symptoms.
Higher subscale scores indicate greater symptom severity within the corresponding domain.
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Baseline (Cycle 1, Day 1 or Day 2 of menstruation). Cycle 2, Day 1 or Day 2 of menstruation (approximately one menstrual cycle [21-35 days] after baseline).
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Functional and emotional impact of dysmenorrhea
Lasso di tempo: Baseline (Cycle 1, Day 1 or Day 2 of menstruation). Cycle 2, Day 1 or Day 2 of menstruation (approximately one menstrual cycle [21-35 days] after baseline).
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Dysmenorrhea-related functional and emotional impact is assessed using the Functional and Emotional Dysmenorrhea Scale (FEDDS).
The FEDDS is a 14-item self-report questionnaire with two subscales.
Each item is rated on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (does not describe me at all) to 5 (describes me very well).
Total scores indicate the overall level of functional and emotional impairment due to dysmenorrhea, with higher scores indicating greater impairment.
Higher subscale scores indicate greater functional or emotional impact.
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Baseline (Cycle 1, Day 1 or Day 2 of menstruation). Cycle 2, Day 1 or Day 2 of menstruation (approximately one menstrual cycle [21-35 days] after baseline).
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Collaboratori e investigatori
Qui è dove troverai le persone e le organizzazioni coinvolte in questo studio.
Sponsor
Pubblicazioni e link utili
La persona responsabile dell'inserimento delle informazioni sullo studio fornisce volontariamente queste pubblicazioni. Questi possono riguardare qualsiasi cosa relativa allo studio.
Pubblicazioni generali
- Hüsniye Merve Demirer. Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation in primary dysmenorrhea: effects on pain, menstrual symptoms, depression and anxiety. PhD Thesis, Bahçeşehir University, Istanbul, Turkey, 2024. Available at: https://tez.yok.gov.tr/UlusalTezMerkezi/tezSorguSonucYeni.jsp
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 (Effettivo)
1 giugno 2023
Completamento primario (Effettivo)
30 gennaio 2024
Completamento dello studio (Effettivo)
5 marzo 2024
Date di iscrizione allo studio
Primo inviato
4 maggio 2026
Primo inviato che soddisfa i criteri di controllo qualità
27 giugno 2026
Primo Inserito (Effettivo)
6 luglio 2026
Aggiornamenti dei record di studio
Ultimo aggiornamento pubblicato (Effettivo)
6 luglio 2026
Ultimo aggiornamento inviato che soddisfa i criteri QC
27 giugno 2026
Ultimo verificato
1 giugno 2026
Maggiori informazioni
Termini relativi a questo studio
Parole chiave
Termini MeSH pertinenti aggiuntivi
Altri numeri di identificazione dello studio
- 2023-23/113
Piano per i dati dei singoli partecipanti (IPD)
Hai intenzione di condividere i dati dei singoli partecipanti (IPD)?
NO
Descrizione del piano IPD
Individual participant data are not planned to be shared publicly due to privacy and confidentiality concerns.
De-identified aggregated data are reported in the publication.
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 .