Pain neuroscience education and vagal nerve stimulation to help people with rheumatoid arthritis

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This randomized controlled study in adults with rheumatoid arthritis compares three interventions—pain neuroscience education, vagal nerve stimulation, and structured exercise—over 8 weeks. Participants attend a rehabilitation program at Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine Hospital and are assigned to one of the three methods to see how each method affects pain perception, inflammatory markers, and quality of life. The trial follows a patient-centered approach aligned with contemporary pain management principles and central nervous system modulation. Outcomes will be analyzed and compared at the end of the protocol to determine relative efficacy.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Individuals who were diagnosed with RA at least one year ago,
* More than score 2.6 in DAS28,
* Ages of 20 and 65,
* Have been experiencing pain for three months or more,
* Score 24 or higher on the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), and can follow instructions will be included in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Individuals under 20 years of age,
* Reporting acute pain or pain from injury,
* Having a history of surgery within the last year,
* Remission in DAS28,
* Patients whose medication was changed,
* Having a score of \<24 on the MMSE,
* Having any of the cerebrovascular disease, cardiovascular disease, symptomatic coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, or uncontrolled hyper/hypotension,
* History of vagotomy surgery, or having an implanted electrical/neurostimulator device will not be included in the study.

Where it's running

• Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine Hospital
  Istanbul, Fatih, Turkey (Türkiye) Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Simay AKDEMİR, MSc. Phd Candidate/Lec. — İstanbul University-Cerrahpaşa
• Study coordinator: Simay AKDEMİR, MSc. Phd Candidate/Lec.
• Email: simay.akdemir@medipol.edu.tr
• Phone: +905347032126

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.