Actively Recruiting
Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation as an Adjunct Therapy for Post-Herpetic Neuralgia
Led by Mohamed Hosny Ismail Easa · Updated on 2026-03-18
34
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a long-lasting nerve pain that occurs after shingles (herpes zoster) infection. This study investigates whether adding transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS), a non-invasive nerve stimulation technique, to standard treatment can reduce pain and improve quality of life for people aged 35 to 65 with PHN. The trial includes both men and women and compares the effects of taVNS plus usual care to usual care alone. Participants are divided into two groups: one receives taVNS using the EV-906 device with TENS ear clips alongside their regular medical treatment, and the other receives only the regular medical treatment. The stimulation is applied according to safety standards and study protocols. The study runs for four weeks with assessments at the start, after two weeks, and after four weeks to measure changes in pain intensity and how pain affects daily activities. During the study, participants will undergo interviews using the Brief Pain Inventory short form and the Short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire-2 to evaluate pain severity and interference. Researchers will monitor pain levels and quality of life throughout the trial. The goal is to see if taVNS can be a safe, non-invasive addition to current therapies for managing PHN. The study lasts about one month for each participant, with close attention to safety and treatment effects.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation on Post-Herpetic Neuralgia
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Adults aged 35 to 65 years diagnosed with post-herpetic neuralgia
- Persistent pain for at least 3 months after herpes zoster infection
- Signed informed consent form
You will not qualify if you...
- Pregnancy
- Presence of active implants such as pacemakers, cochlear implants, or brain shunts
- Previous neurological or psychiatric diagnoses
- History of addiction or substance abuse
- History of trauma or brain surgery
- Cardiac disease
- Acute or chronic use of medications or illicit drugs
- Susceptibility to headaches and seizures
- Severe cognitive impairment
- Other chronic pain conditions
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - 4 weeks
Participants receive either transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) along with standard medical treatment or standard medical treatment alone for post-herpetic neuralgia.
3 visits (baseline, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks; in-person interviews for pain assessments)
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Faculty of Physical Therapy - Cairo University
Cairo, Giza Governorate, Egypt, 12613
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
M
Mohamed Hosny Ismail Easa, MSc, PT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
Similar Trials
Frequently Asked Questions
Have more questions? Get in touch with our team for quick support
Not the Right Trial for You?
Explore thousands of other clinical trials that might be a better match.
Sign up to get personalized trial recommendations delivered to your inbox.
Already have an account? Log in here