Ear-Zap therapy offers hope for shingles pain sufferers
NCT ID NCT07123987
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests a non-invasive device that gently stimulates a nerve in the ear to see if it can reduce pain and improve daily life for people with post-herpetic neuralgia (long-term nerve pain after shingles). About 34 adults aged 35-65 with persistent pain will receive the stimulation on top of their usual care. The goal is to find a safe, drug-free way to ease this stubborn pain.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 34 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Sep 2025
- Expected to finish
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Sep 2026
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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35 to 65 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: Adults aged 35-65 years diagnosed with PHN. Persistent pain for at least 3 months after herpes zoster infection. Only patients who sign the informed consent form will be included. Exclusion Criteria: Contraindications to taVNS such as: 1. pregnancy; 2. active implants (e.g., pacemakers, cochlear implants) or brain shunts; 3. previous neurological or psychiatric diagnoses; 4. history of addiction or substance abuse; 5. history of trauma and/or brain surgery; 6. cardiac disease; 7. acute or chronic use of medications and/or illicit drugs; 8. susceptibility to headaches and seizures. Severe cognitive impairment. Other chronic pain conditions.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Faculty of Physical Therapy - Cairo University
RECRUITINGCairo, Giza Governorate, 12613, Egypt