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

Recruiting now · Not applicable · Has a placebo group

Conditions studied: Healthy Volunteers, fMRI Research

In brief

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.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07662291

Run by

Xidian University

People needed

25

Starts

2026-08-06

Expected to finish

2026-08-20

Last updated by the study team

2026-06-23

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 35. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

• 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.

You may not qualify if…

• 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).
• 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.

Where it is running

• Xidian University — Xi'an, Shaanxi, China (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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