Measuring pain perception using EEG and a pain scale

Measuring Pain Perception to the Same Stimulus in Different Patients Using Electroencephalography and Numerical Rate Scale

Observational Cleveland Dental Institute · NCT06510244

This study is testing how people feel pain during a dental procedure by asking them to rate their pain while also measuring their brain activity.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment100 (estimated)
Ages20 Years to 60 Years
SexAll
SponsorCleveland Dental Institute Academic / other
Locations1 site (Cleveland, Ohio)
Trial IDNCT06510244 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study at the Cleveland Dental Institute aims to assess pain perception in patients by utilizing two non-invasive methods: a Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NRS) and electroencephalography (EEG). Participants, aged 20 to 60 with healthy teeth, will experience a controlled nociceptive stimulus applied to a specific tooth and will rate their pain on a scale from 0 to 10. Simultaneously, their brain activity will be recorded using an EEG device to correlate the subjective pain ratings with objective brain wave data.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are healthy males and females aged 20 to 60 with no history of dental trauma and vital teeth.

Not a fit: Patients with chronic periodontitis, necrotic teeth, or systemic diseases affecting healing may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could enhance our understanding of pain perception and improve pain management strategies in dental practices.

How similar studies have performed: While there have been studies on pain perception, this specific combination of EEG and NRS in a dental context is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Males and females
* Age: 20-60 years.
* Tooth #8 vital and mature. No history of dentoalveolar trauma.
* Adequate coronal tooth structure.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Chronic periodontitis.
* Vertical root fracture.
* Immature teeth.
* Necrotic teeth.
* Systemic diseases that affect the healing process.
* Non restorable teeth.

Where this trial is running

Cleveland, Ohio

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions PainElectroencephalographyToothachepain perceptionNumeric Pain Rating Scaleelectroencephalography
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.