Caffeine vs. ALA in BMS Treatment. (BMS: Burning Mouth Syndrome. ALA: Alpha-Lipoic Acid.)

NCT ID: NCT06195137

Last Updated: 2024-01-08

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

Get a concise snapshot of the trial, including recruitment status, study phase, enrollment targets, and key timeline milestones.

Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

130 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2021-12-13

Study Completion Date

2023-06-23

Brief Summary

Review the sponsor-provided synopsis that highlights what the study is about and why it is being conducted.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of caffeine and alpha-lipoic acid in the treatment of burning mouth syndrome by symptom assessment with visual analogue scale.

Detailed Description

Dive into the extended narrative that explains the scientific background, objectives, and procedures in greater depth.

The etiology of BMS is multifactorial, involving a complex interplay of neuropathic, psychological, neuroendocrine, and immunological factors. Neurologically, BMS has been categorized into three subtypes: peripheral small fiber neuropathy, subclinical trigeminal neuropathy, and inhibitory dopaminergic deficiency. Neuroimaging and peripheral nerve studies have further implicated altered brain activation patterns and increased expression of specific receptors like TRPV1 and P2X3 in the pathogenesis of BMS. Hormonal imbalances, particularly in estrogen levels, have also been suggested to contribute to contribute to the condition.

Caffeine, a xanthine alkaloid chemically known as 1,3,7-trimethylxanthine, is recognized for its diverse biological functions. As a central nervous system stimulant, its primary mechanism involves antagonizing adenosine receptors, thereby enhancing the release of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and norepinephrine, which are known to play roles in analgesic pathways. Caffeine is also noted for its neuroprotective properties and is theorized to reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases. It affects the central processing of pain and is involved in regulating circadian rhythms and sleep-wake cycles. Additionally, caffeine has mild anti-inflammatory properties. Its stimulatory effects may also improve mood and cognitive function.

Conditions

See the medical conditions and disease areas that this research is targeting or investigating.

Caffeine Burning Mouth Syndrome

Study Design

Understand how the trial is structured, including allocation methods, masking strategies, primary purpose, and other design elements.

Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

Review each arm or cohort in the study, along with the interventions and objectives associated with them.

Caffeine group

Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) patients in Caffeine group were provided with BMS disease explanation and psychological counseling. Then they were told to drink instant coffee containing 120-150 mg of the active ingredient caffeine (2 bags of Nescafe Black Coffee, 1.8g each) at a certain point in time from 8:00 to 12:00 every day, for 2 consecutive weeks.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Caffeine

Intervention Type DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

caffeine supplementation

Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) group

Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) patients in the ALA group were provided with BMS disease explanation and psychological counseling. Then they took α-lipoic acid (ALA) 3 times a day, after meals, 200 mg each time, for 2 consecutive weeks.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Alpha Lipoic Acid

Intervention Type DRUG

600-800 mg ALA

Control gruop

Without intervention treatment, we provided BMS patients in Control group with disease explanation and psychological counseling for patients.

Group Type NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Interventions

Learn about the drugs, procedures, or behavioral strategies being tested and how they are applied within this trial.

Caffeine

caffeine supplementation

Intervention Type DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Alpha Lipoic Acid

600-800 mg ALA

Intervention Type DRUG

Other Intervention Names

Discover alternative or legacy names that may be used to describe the listed interventions across different sources.

ALA

Eligibility Criteria

Check the participation requirements, including inclusion and exclusion rules, age limits, and whether healthy volunteers are accepted.

Inclusion Criteria

* Adults over 18 years of age
* Diagnosis of BMS according to the 3rd edition of the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-3)
* Daily intraoral burning or dysaesthesia lasting for more than 2 hours for over 3 months
* Normal oral mucosa and sensory testing
* Condition not better accounted for by another ICHD-3 diagnosis

Exclusion Criteria

1. Secondary BMS due to local or systemic disorders
2. Prior treatment for BMS
3. Psychiatric or progressive neurological disorders
4. Systemic disorders potentially associated with oral disease
5. Long-term history of smoking, drinking, or medication use
6. Consumption of caffeinated products
7. Poor oral hygiene
8. Abnormal blood test results (including blood count, glucose, serum iron, ferritin and transferrin, folic acid, or vitamin B12 levels)
9. Incomplete medical records
10. Unwillingness to participate
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

75 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

Meet the organizations funding or collaborating on the study and learn about their roles.

Lu Jiang

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

Identify the individual or organization who holds primary responsibility for the study information submitted to regulators.

Lu Jiang

Clinical Professor

Responsibility Role SPONSOR_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Learn about the lead researchers overseeing the trial and their institutional affiliations.

Lu Jiang

Role: STUDY_DIRECTOR

Sichuan University

Locations

Explore where the study is taking place and check the recruitment status at each participating site.

West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University

Chengdu, , China

Site Status

Countries

Review the countries where the study has at least one active or historical site.

China

References

Explore related publications, articles, or registry entries linked to this study.

Wu C, Yuan P, Qiu X, Liu D, Xu Y, Xiao Y, Zhou S, Zhang Z, Cai S, Ding W, Xu X, Hou F, Jiang L. Short-Term Dietary Caffeine Intake for Alleviating Symptoms of Burning Mouth Syndrome: A Randomised Controlled Comparison With Alpha-Lipoic Acid. J Oral Rehabil. 2025 Jul;52(7):969-978. doi: 10.1111/joor.13957. Epub 2025 Mar 14.

Reference Type DERIVED
PMID: 40084800 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

Review additional registry numbers or institutional identifiers associated with this trial.

WCHSIRB-D-2021-407

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

More Related Trials

Additional clinical trials that may be relevant based on similarity analysis.

Effectiveness of Aquamin® in Mitigating Halitosis
NCT05058638 ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING PHASE2