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Updated: Jul 27, 2026
Author Spotlight: Methodologies and Advancements of Chronic Pain Management Research
Published on: January 5, 2024
Effects of Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation in Individuals with Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Randomized
Zeynep Yıldız Kızkın1, Rıdvan Yıldız2, Ali Veysel Özden3
1Department of Therapy and Rehabilitation, Vocational School of Health Services, Artvin Çoruh University, Artvin, Turkey.
Background And Aims:
Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) is a promising neuromodulation therapy with proved efficacy in treating various conditions, such as migraine, depression, abdominal pain, constipation, stroke, and sleep disorders. However, no randomized controlled trials have evaluated the effects of taVNS in patients with primary dysmenorrhea (PwPD). This study aims to investigate the impact of taVNS on pain, functional and emotional symptoms, and physical performance in PwPD.
Materials And Methods:
In this study, conducted over two menstrual cycles, 34 PwPD were randomly assigned (1:1) to the taVNS or Sham groups. The treatment protocol comprised taVNS or sham treatment for five consecutive days, starting five days before the expected second menstrual period. The Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), pressure pain threshold (PPT), the Menstrual Symptom Questionnaire (MSQ), the Functional and Emotional Measure of Dysmenorrhea (FEMD), the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A), and the 6-Minute Walking Test (6MWT) were evaluated at the first and subsequent menstrual cycles.
Results:
The difference between the groups was significant, favoring the taVNS group in the NRS, PPT, MSQ, FEMD, HAM-A, and 6MWT (for all, p < 0.05). Time, treatment, and time × treatment interaction were found to have significant effects on all treatment parameters except 6MWT (for all, p < 0.05).
Conclusion:
PwPD may benefit from taVNS, given it has shown efficacy in alleviating pain and menstrual symptoms while improving physical performance.
Clinical Trial Registration:
The Clinicaltrials.gov registration number for the study is NCT06146569.
