ArticleBMC neurology2026
Tasting pain-relief through tongue stimulation: results from a feasibility study looking into the use of cranial nerve non-invasive neuromodulation in healthy individuals and chronic poststroke patients.
Article in BMC neurology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to trial NCT05370274 (Cranial Nerve Non-invasive Neuromodulation to Improve Pain and Upper Extremity Function in Individuals in the Chronic Phase of Stroke), which is not on this map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Cranial Nerve Non-invasive Neuromodulation to Improve Pain and Upper Extremity Function in Individuals in the Chronic Phase of Stroke: a Pilot Feasibility Study
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4 authors.
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Abstract
purposeChronic pain is a common consequence of stroke, often impairing survivors' quality of life. By targeting cranial nerves and brainstem regions involved in pain modulation, cranial nerve non-invasive neuromodulation (CN-NINM) offers a promising approach to pain relief. The aims of this study were to investigate the feasibility of using CN-NINM in people with chronic stroke and in healthy individuals, and to test the immediate effect of this modality on experimental pain. PARTICIPANTS AND
methodsThirteen adults with chronic stroke and 13 age-matched healthy adults were recruited for a single 20-min CN-NINM session, using a portable electrical tongue stimulator. The intensity of the stimulus was set by each participant at a comfortable sensation level. Feasibility was assessed in terms of recruitment, adherence, and adverse events. The effect of CN-NINM on pain was evaluated by a heat-induced thermal pain paradigm applied to the participant's forearm for 2 min before and after the CN-NINM application. Pre- and post-CN-NINM pain intensity was recorded continuously during the nociceptive stimulation using a 0-100 computerized visual analogue scale. Descriptive and non-parametric statistics were used to describe feasibility data and explore CN-NINM effects.
resultsFeasibility was supported by a recruitment rate of 1.4 person/month for stroke and 2.2 person/month for healthy participants, with 100% of adherence in both groups. No CN-NINM-related adverse effects were reported. On average, CN-NINM had no clear immediate effect on pain in both stroke and healthy participants, with no difference observed between the two groups.
conclusionThe present study offers evidence concerning the feasibility of using CN-NINM for relieving pain in stroke and healthy individuals. Although this new approach appears to be safe and acceptable for both populations, its effect on experimental pain remains questionable and unconvincing. Further studies are needed to ascertain if clinical pain can be positively impacted by CN-NINM.
trial registrationThis clinical trial was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05370274) on April 27, 2022.
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