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

NCT ID: NCT06708195

Last Updated: 2024-11-27

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

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

50 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2023-09-15

Study Completion Date

2024-11-20

Brief Summary

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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.

Detailed Description

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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,

Conditions

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Xerostomia Dry Mouth

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Experimental group Control group
Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

SINGLE

Participants

Study Groups

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Group I :Experimental

Patients in this group will receive 15 minutes of extraoral TENS applied to the skin over the bilateral parotid glands. The treatment will consist of 3 sessions per week for 3 weeks.

Intervention:

Type: Active TENS Frequency: 3 sessions per week Session duration: 15 minutes Application area: Skin over the bilateral parotid glands

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Group experimental

Intervention Type DEVICE

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

Control

Patients in this group will receive 15 minutes of extraoral TENS applied to the skin over the bilateral parotid glands. However, the device will be inactive ( sham ). This treatment will consist of a single session.

Intervention:

Type: Inactive TENS Frequency: 1 session Session duration: 15 minutes Application area: Skin over the bilateral parotid glands

Group Type SHAM_COMPARATOR

Group experimental

Intervention Type DEVICE

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

Interventions

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Group experimental

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

Intervention Type DEVICE

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

Present continuous symptoms of dry mouth for more than three months. Ability to attend the necessary visits to carry out the research.

Exclusion Criteria

Patient subjected to total or partial resection of major salivary glands. Patient with decompensated systemic disease. Patient who has undergone radiotherapy. Patient with motor impairments or issues preventing them from following the operator's instructions.

Patient with vertigo, persistent headaches, hearing problems, neuralgias, and/or facial paralysis
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Universidad de Murcia

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Pia Lopez Jornet

MD,PhD,DDs

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

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Pia Lopez Jornet

Murcia, , Spain

Site Status

Countries

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Spain

References

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Khamdi S, Matangkasombut O, Lam-Ubol A. Non-pharmacologic interventions for management of radiation-induced dry mouth: A systematic review. Oral Dis. 2024 Jul;30(5):2876-2893. doi: 10.1111/odi.14804. Epub 2023 Nov 9.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 37946598 (View on PubMed)

Chandra R, Bhakta P, Beniwal J, Dhanda R, Saxena V, Sinha S. Evaluation of the efficacy of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on salivary flow rate in patients with xerostomia - A case control study. J Family Med Prim Care. 2022 Feb;11(2):767-771. doi: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_922_21. Epub 2022 Feb 16.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 35360757 (View on PubMed)

Sivaramakrishnan G, Sridharan K. Electrical nerve stimulation for xerostomia: A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. J Tradit Complement Med. 2017 Feb 14;7(4):409-413. doi: 10.1016/j.jtcme.2017.01.004. eCollection 2017 Oct.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 29034187 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

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ACTA10/2024/CEI

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id