Electrical Stimulation to Ease Jaw Pain in Motor Neuron Disease

Plain-English translation of NCT07187388 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated May 2026 · Translation generated June 2026 · How we translate trials

What is this trial?

This trial is testing transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)—a gentle, non-invasive electrical treatment—to see if it can reduce jaw pain and improve jaw movement in people with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) or PLS (primary lateral sclerosis). Many people with these conditions experience pain, difficulty chewing, and trouble with oral care. The study will measure whether a single 30-minute TENS treatment can help with these symptoms.

Jaw pain and difficulty chewing are common problems for people with motor neuron diseases, but treatment options are limited. This trial is exploring whether electrical stimulation could be a safe and effective way to reduce pain and improve quality of life for people living with these conditions.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you have been diagnosed with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) or PLS (primary lateral sclerosis) by your neurologist
you are experiencing jaw pain and rate it as 3 or higher on a 0–10 pain scale
you are between 25 and 90 years old
you are able to attend one in-person clinic visit and participate in a follow-up phone call 24 hours later

You likely don't qualify if…

you have a history of head or neck cancer
you have a pacemaker or other implanted electronic devices
you have had facial surgery with hardware (metal plates or screws) placed in your face or jaw
you have a history of seizures or epilepsy
you have an open wound or complete loss of feeling at the area where the electrodes would be placed

What participation looks like

You would visit the clinic for one 90-minute appointment. Before and after a single 30-minute electrical stimulation treatment, researchers will assess your jaw pain, how wide you can open your mouth, how well you can chew, and any difficulty you have with oral care tasks. The treatment uses small electrodes placed on your face over the jaw muscles—you can stop at any time if you're uncomfortable. The next day, a researcher will call you for a brief phone interview to ask how you're feeling.

Electrical Stimulation to Ease Jaw Pain in Motor Neuron Disease

What is this trial?

Do you qualify?

What participation looks like

Trial locations(1 site)