Efficacy of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation in Patients With Xerostomia (ETENX)

NCT06708195 · Status: COMPLETED · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 50

Last updated 2024-11-27

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Saliva is a complex fluid with essential functions in the oral cavity, such as lubricating tissues, protecting against microorganisms, and facilitating processes like chewing, swallowing, and speaking. Xerostomia, defined as the subjective sensation of dry mouth, is commonly associated with reduced salivary flow, which can lead to intraoral and extraoral complications, including dental caries, periodontal disease, infections, and functional difficulties like chewing, speaking, and swallowing.

Current treatments for xerostomia, such as saliva substitutes and lubricants, provide only temporary relief and do not address the underlying cause. Pharmacological agents like pilocarpine have shown effectiveness in stimulating salivary flow; however, their use is limited by adverse side effects such as excessive sweating and gastrointestinal discomfort.

In this context, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), a physical therapy traditionally used for pain relief, has shown significant potential in the therapeutic stimulation of salivary glands. TENS is a non-invasive approach that works by stimulating the auriculotemporal nerve, which innervates the parotid glands, promoting an increase in salivary flow.

This study highlights the therapeutic value of TENS as an effective and safe solution for patients with xerostomia. The findings indicate that TENS therapy can increase salivary flow, alleviate symptoms of dry mouth, and significantly improve patients' quality of life, all without the risks and adverse effects associated with pharmacological treatments.

Conditions

Interventions

DEVICE

Group experimental

Type: Inactive TENS (placebo) Frequency: 1 session Session duration: 15 minutes Application area: Skin over the bilateral parotid glan

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Universidad de Murcia

    lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2023-09-15
Primary Completion
2024-11-20
Completion
2024-11-20

Countries

  • Spain

Study Locations

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Entities

Diseases

Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT06708195 on ClinicalTrials.gov