Frequency Effects of Transcutaneous Trigeminal Nerve Stimulation (eTNS) on Brain and Autonomic Function
Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age18-35
SponsorXidian University
About this trial
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.
Eligibility criteria
Qualifiers
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.
Disqualifiers
Contraindications to MRI scanning (e.g., claustrophobia, cardiac pacemakers, artificial cochlea, metallic braces, or any other ferromagnetic implants).
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).
Trial design
Treatments tested in this trial
- 2Hz Transcutaneous Trigeminal Nerve Stimulation
- 120Hz Transcutaneous Trigeminal Nerve Stimulation
- Sham Transcutaneous Trigeminal Nerve Stimulation
Treatment groups
25 Participants
are divided into 3 treatment groupsSponsors and collaborators
Source ClinicalTrials.gov