Neck PainNCT05527366
Effect of Auricular Vagus Stimulating in Non Specific Chronic Neck Pain
A study testing Vagus stimulation and Consevative treatment in people with Neck Pain and Vagus, run by Okan University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
The aim of our study is to compare the efects of conventional treatment and vagus nerve stimulation on pain, normal joint movement, disability and sleep in non-specific chronic neck pain. 36 patients aged between 18 and 65 years with non-specific neck pain participated in our randomly planned study. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 65 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Neck Pain, Vagus, Autonomic Nervous System
- What is being tested?
- Vagus stimulation and Consevative treatment
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 36 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 3 Oct 2022to 27 Jan 2023
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 65 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- 18-65 years old
- people with non-specific neck pain
Who cannot join
- Who has neurological problems,
- who has vision and hearing loss,
- who has a tumor and infection in the cervical region,
- who has undergone surgery related to the cervical region,
- who has had a cervical streroid injection in the last 3 months
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: The Effect of Auricular Vagus Stimulating on Pain, Disability and Sleep in Non Specific Chronic Neck Pain
The aim of our study is to compare the efects of conventional treatment and vagus nerve stimulation on pain, normal joint movement, disability and sleep in non-specific chronic neck pain.
36 patients aged between 18 and 65 years with non-specific neck pain participated in our randomly planned study. All these patients were divided into 2 groups. Demographic and physical characteristics of the patients were recorded. The first group was treated with auricular vagus nerve stimulation. Conservatire treatment that consists of hotpack, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and therapeutic ultrasound was applied to the second group. In addition to their treatment, some home exercises were given and tought. Pain was assessed with a visual analog scale (VAS). Muscle strength was evalvated with a digital hand dynamometer. Neck normal joınt motion was evaluated with goniometer clinometer which is a mobile phone application. While disability was mensured with the neck disability index, sleep quality was evalvated with the Pittsburg sleep questionnaire. All the measurements were recorded before the trearment and after the 15 session treatment.
- Conditions
- Neck Pain, Vagus, Autonomic Nervous System
- Being tested
- Vagus stimulation, Consevative treatment
- Medical subject headings
- Neck Pain
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Vagus stimulationOther
The Vagus Stimulation Group received auricular vagus stimulation for a total of 15 sessions of 25 minutes 5 days a week. The patients were applied with vagustim device consisting of TENS device with electrodes placed bilaterally in the outer ear with headphones that can be selected according to ear size. During the application, the gel was used to avoid causing any damage and to ensure conductivity. It is placed so that tragus and konkaya are facing. The pulse duration of the TENS device is less than 500 microseconds, the frequency is 10 Herzt, the module was applied in TENS mode and in the form of a biphasic asymmetric wave.
Consevative treatmentOther
A total of 15 sessions 5 days a week, 20 minutes of hotpack, 20 minutes of TENS, 5 minutes of 1,3 watt/cm2 ultrasound consisting of a total of 25 minutes of treatment was applied to the neck area.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Control Group | Experimental | Conservative treatment Receives: Other: Vagus stimulation |
| Vagus Stimulation Group | Experimental | Vagus Stimulation Group Receives: Other: Consevative treatment |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Pain Severity
Pain severity Within the scope of this study, a Visual Analog Scale was applied, with both ends marked between 0 and 10, 100 mm long and marked every 10 mm; the patient was marked according to his own pain level, scored between 0-10. Deciphered. Deciphered. The Visual Analogue Scale was applied. 0 was rated as "no pain" and 10 as "unbearable level of pain"
Measured: 3-week change in pain intensity
Muscle strength Measurement
Muscle strength was measured with La Fayette brand digital hand dynamometer. Flexion, extension, right and left lateral flexion of the neck were measured with the device. The patients were fixed to the stretcher with T3 and spina iliac superior ventro tapes. Each movement measurement was repeated 3 times at December intervals of 15 seconds
Measured: 3-week change in muscle strength
Joint Range of Motion Measurement
Neck region flexion, extension, right and left lateral flexion joint range of motion was evaluated by climatometer. The tests were performed in a back-supported chair. While the phone application called Goniometer was open, the evaluation was performed by placing it in a vertical position in front of the ear for flexion and extension measurements, and by placing the measurement line on the side that was not measured so as not to prevent movement in lateral flexion measurements, so that the measurement line was flush with the eyes. Rotation movements were measured by placing the phone on the person's head to follow the nose alignment. The ROM value was taken as the average of the 3 active movement spans made by the individuals after the movement made passively once by the physiotherapist.
Measured: 3-week change in Range of motion
Assessment of dysability
The level of chronic neck pain affecting daily life activities was assessed by the Neck Disability Index (NDI). The validity of this index in Turkish was made by Telci et al. Neck Disability Index consists of 10 items and Article 4 of subjective symptoms (pain intensity, headache, concentration, sleep) substance other 6 activities of daily living (personal care, lifting, reading, business, car handling and leisure pursuits) is related to.The classification of disability according to neck disability index score is as follows; 0-4: no disability, 5-14: mild disability, 15-24: moderate disability, 25-34: severe disability, >34: full disability.
Measured: 3-week change in dysability
Evaluation of sleep quality
Pittsburgh sleep quality index, Agargün et al. it is turkified by. The index is a 19-item self-report that evaluates sleep disturbance and quality in the last one-month period. it consists of 24 questions, 19 questions are self-report questions, 5 questions are answered by a spouse or roommate. The 18 scored questions of the scale consist of 7 components. These are subjective sleep quality, sleep duration, sleep latency, sleep disturbance, habitual sleep activity, use of sleeping pills, and daytime dysfunction.The global score obtained ranges from 0-21, and high values indicate that the quality of sleep is poor Decently, the level of sleep disturbance is high. A global score of 5 or above indicates that the quality of sleep is clinically significantly poor.
Measured: 3-week change in sleep quality
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted2 Sep 2022
- Study start3 Oct 2022
- Primary completion27 Dec 2022
- Study completion27 Jan 2023
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Neck PainStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 36 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Okan University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Emine Atıcı, Okan University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05527366
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 008
- Status last verified
- Jul 2024
- First submitted
- 25 Aug 2022
- Last updated
- 31 Jul 2024
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Atici E, Torlak S, Surenkok O, Demircioglu G, Ozden AV. The efficacy of transcutaneous auricular Vagus nerve stimulation in non-specific chronic neck pain: A pilot study. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil. 2026 Sep;39(5):1707-1716. doi: 10.1177/10538127261435675. Epub 2026 Apr 24.
PubMed 42029130
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 31 Jul 2024. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effect of Auricular Vagus Stimulating on Pain, Disability and Sleep in Non Specific Chronic Neck Pain
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05527366
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 008
- Conditions
- Neck Pain, Vagus, Autonomic Nervous System
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 36 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Okan UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 3 Oct 2022 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 27 Dec 2022 (actual)
- Study completion
- 27 Jan 2023 (actual)
- First posted
- 2 Sep 2022 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The aim of our study is to compare the efects of conventional treatment and vagus nerve stimulation on pain, normal joint movement, disability and sleep in non-specific chronic neck pain.
36 patients aged between 18 and 65 years with non-specific neck pain participated in our randomly planned study. All these patients were divided into 2 groups. Demographic and physical characteristics of the patients were recorded. The first group was treated with auricular vagus nerve stimulation. Conservatire treatment that consists of hotpack, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and therapeutic ultrasound was applied to the second group. In addition to their treatment, some home exercises were given and tought. Pain was assessed with a visual analog scale (VAS). Muscle strength was evalvated with a digital hand dynamometer. Neck normal joınt motion was evaluated with goniometer clinometer which is a mobile phone application. While disability was mensured with the neck disability index, sleep quality was evalvated with the Pittsburg sleep questionnaire. All the measurements were recorded before the trearment and after the 15 session treatment.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Control Group | Experimental | Other: Vagus stimulationConservative treatment |
| Vagus Stimulation Group | Experimental | Other: Consevative treatmentVagus Stimulation Group |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (2 listed)
- 18-65 years old
- people with non-specific neck pain
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Who has neurological problems,
- who has vision and hearing loss,
- who has a tumor and infection in the cervical region,
- who has undergone surgery related to the cervical region,
- who has had a cervical streroid injection in the last 3 months
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Vagus stimulationThe Vagus Stimulation Group received auricular vagus stimulation for a total of 15 sessions of 25 minutes 5 days a week. The patients were applied with vagustim device consisting of TENS device with electrodes placed bilaterally in the outer ear with headphones that can be selected according to ear size. During the application, the gel was used to avoid causing any damage and to ensure conductivity. It is placed so that tragus and konkaya are facing. The pulse duration of the TENS device is less than 500 microseconds, the frequency is 10 Herzt, the module was applied in TENS mode and in the form of a biphasic asymmetric wave. | Other | Control Group |
| Consevative treatmentA total of 15 sessions 5 days a week, 20 minutes of hotpack, 20 minutes of TENS, 5 minutes of 1,3 watt/cm2 ultrasound consisting of a total of 25 minutes of treatment was applied to the neck area. | Other | Vagus Stimulation Group |
Primary outcome
Pain Severity
Time frame: 3-week change in pain intensity
Pain severity Within the scope of this study, a Visual Analog Scale was applied, with both ends marked between 0 and 10, 100 mm long and marked every 10 mm; the patient was marked according to his own pain level, scored between 0-10. Deciphered. Deciphered. The Visual Analogue Scale was applied. 0 was rated as "no pain" and 10 as "unbearable level of pain"
Muscle strength Measurement
Time frame: 3-week change in muscle strength
Muscle strength was measured with La Fayette brand digital hand dynamometer. Flexion, extension, right and left lateral flexion of the neck were measured with the device. The patients were fixed to the stretcher with T3 and spina iliac superior ventro tapes. Each movement measurement was repeated 3 times at December intervals of 15 seconds
Joint Range of Motion Measurement
Time frame: 3-week change in Range of motion
Neck region flexion, extension, right and left lateral flexion joint range of motion was evaluated by climatometer. The tests were performed in a back-supported chair. While the phone application called Goniometer was open, the evaluation was performed by placing it in a vertical position in front of the ear for flexion and extension measurements, and by placing the measurement line on the side that was not measured so as not to prevent movement in lateral flexion measurements, so that the measurement line was flush with the eyes. Rotation movements were measured by placing the phone on the person's head to follow the nose alignment. The ROM value was taken as the average of the 3 active movement spans made by the individuals after the movement made passively once by the physiotherapist.
Assessment of dysability
Time frame: 3-week change in dysability
The level of chronic neck pain affecting daily life activities was assessed by the Neck Disability Index (NDI). The validity of this index in Turkish was made by Telci et al. Neck Disability Index consists of 10 items and Article 4 of subjective symptoms (pain intensity, headache, concentration, sleep) substance other 6 activities of daily living (personal care, lifting, reading, business, car handling and leisure pursuits) is related to.The classification of disability according to neck disability index score is as follows; 0-4: no disability, 5-14: mild disability, 15-24: moderate disability, 25-34: severe disability, >34: full disability.
Evaluation of sleep quality
Time frame: 3-week change in sleep quality
Pittsburgh sleep quality index, Agargün et al. it is turkified by. The index is a 19-item self-report that evaluates sleep disturbance and quality in the last one-month period. it consists of 24 questions, 19 questions are self-report questions, 5 questions are answered by a spouse or roommate. The 18 scored questions of the scale consist of 7 components. These are subjective sleep quality, sleep duration, sleep latency, sleep disturbance, habitual sleep activity, use of sleeping pills, and daytime dysfunction.The global score obtained ranges from 0-21, and high values indicate that the quality of sleep is poor Decently, the level of sleep disturbance is high. A global score of 5 or above indicates that the quality of sleep is clinically significantly poor.
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 31 Jul 2024.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 42029130Atici E, Torlak S, Surenkok O, Demircioglu G, Ozden AV. The efficacy of transcutaneous auricular Vagus nerve stimulation in non-specific chronic neck pain: A pilot study. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil. 2026 Sep;39(5):1707-1716. doi: 10.1177/10538127261435675. Epub 2026 Apr 24.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Vagus stimulation and Consevative treatment in people with Neck Pain and Vagus, run by Okan University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 2 inclusion and 5 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 31 Jul 2024. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Pain Severity (time frame: 3-week change in pain intensity). The study lists 5 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT05527366, which also lists 1 linked publication.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 31 Jul 2024.