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Effects of the Timing of Vagus Nerve Stimulation Combined With Exercise in Chronic Neck Pain

NCT07769034 · Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 81

Last updated 2026-08-17

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

This randomized controlled trial aims to investigate whether the timing of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) relative to exercise influences clinical and autonomic outcomes in individuals with chronic neck pain.

Participants will be randomly allocated to one of three groups: taVNS applied before exercise, taVNS applied after exercise, or exercise alone. All groups will receive a standardized exercise program designed for chronic neck pain. The intervention will be conducted over a 6- to 8-week period.

The effects of the interventions will be evaluated using pain intensity, neck-related disability, sleep quality, heart rate variability, and exercise adherence. The study will determine whether applying taVNS before or after exercise provides additional benefits compared with exercise alone and whether the timing of stimulation influences treatment outcomes.

Conditions

  • Chronic Neck Pain

Interventions

DEVICE

Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation (taVNS)

Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation will be delivered non-invasively through an auricular stimulation device targeting the auricular branch of the vagus nerve. Stimulation will be administered under researcher supervision using standardized stimulation parameters according to the device instructions and study protocol.

OTHER

Exercise Program

Participants will perform a standardized exercise program for chronic neck pain including postural correction, deep cervical flexor activation, cervical mobility, scapular stabilization, and stretching exercises. Exercises will be performed under researcher supervision during the intervention period.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Kutahya Health Sciences University

    lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Max Age
65 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2026-09-14
Primary Completion
2027-06-30
Completion
2027-09-15

Countries

  • Turkey (Türkiye)

Study Locations

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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 NCT07769034 on ClinicalTrials.gov