Tonic Pain and Transauricular Vagal Nerve Stimulation

Recruiting now · Not applicable · Has a placebo group

Conditions studied: Experimental Pain in Healthy Human Subjects

In brief

This study aims to explore the effect of burst-taVNS (electric stimulation of the concha cymba) on tonic (capsaicin-induced skin pain) and acute (pressure pain sensitivity) experimental pain and cardioception. Primary outcomes include pain intensity. Secondary outcomes include sensory thresholds, resting heart rate (EKG), pupillary measurements and conditioned pain modulation.

Key facts

Study ID: NCT07325058
Run by: Aalborg University
People needed: 36
Starts: 2025-12-18
Expected to finish: 2026-04-01
Last updated by the study team: 2026-01-08

Who can join

Age: 16 and older, up to 60. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

Healthy
Speak and understand English
18-60 years old.

You may not qualify if…

Pregnant and/or breastfeeding
Regular use of cannabis, opioids or other drugs
Current or previous neurologic, musculoskeletal, mental, or other illnesses (e.g., brain or spinal cord injuries, degenerative neurological disorders, major depression, cardiovascular disease, chronic lung disease, etc.)
Current regular (once or more a week) use of analgesic medication or other medication which may affect the trial (including paracetamol and NSAIDs)
Recent history of acute pain particularly in the lower limbs
Abnormally disrupted sleep in 24 hours preceding experiment
Contraindications to electric stimulation application (history of epilepsy, metal implants in head or jaw, etc.)
Lack of ability to cooperate
Contraindications for capsaicin including an intolerance chili consumption and burns or wounds to the application site.

Where it is running

Center For Neuroplasticity and Pain — Aalborg, Denmark (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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