RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT06875102

Fatigue in Sjögren's Syndrome: 3 Therapeutic Strategies

Fatigue in Sjögren's Syndrome: a Randomized Controlled Trial of Combined Non-pharmacological Therapeutic Strategies

Sponsor

Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Saint Etienne

Enrollment

174 participants

Start Date

Mar 24, 2026

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Sjogren Syndrome

Summary

Unexplained fatigue is a frequent (60-70%) chronic complaint in Sjögren's syndrome (SjS) with a clear unmet therapeutic need, despite the recommendation of adapted physical activity (APA) programs, which are effective and feasible, but only to some extent. Hence, other therapeutic approaches, such as Acupuncture (ACU) or transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulation (tVNS), have been evaluated during the past years, with varying degrees of success in alleviating fatigue. FESSONA has been designed as a randomized controlled monocentric trial, aiming at comparing the effects of 3 different programs on fatigue in SjS: APA alone, APA+ACU and APA+tVNS. Relevant controls will be included as well (sham ACU and simulated tVNS). Multiple fatigue and SjS-related features will be measured before (at inclusion) and after (week 12) the intervention, as well as at week 24 and 48, to evaluate the short- and long-term impact of each program. Tolerance and feasibility will also be evaluated.

Eligibility

Min Age: 18 Years

Inclusion Criteria5

Patient affiliated or entitled to a social security scheme.
Age > 18 years.
Patient informed and having signed the information form and consent to participate in the study.
Patient with Sjögren's syndrome according to ACR/EULAR 2016 or AECG 2002 criteria, usually followed up every year or more frequently
Fatigue present for ≥ 6 months, without obvious explanation and/or specific treatment to conduct (e.g., disease's flare, chronic infection), with a current FACIT-F score < 34

Exclusion Criteria9

Pre-existing atrial fibrillation or severe cardiac conduction disorders,
Recent stroke or myocardial infarction (<6 months),
Left ventricular ejection fraction <40% or severe heart failure (New York Heart Association functional class III or IV)
Recurrent episodes of vasovagal syncope, or history of vagotomy
People with dermatological problems in the area where the stimulation electrodes are to be placed
Current episode of venous or arterial thrombosis
Pregnancy or breastfeeding
Patient under protective measures (legal protection, curatorship, guardianship)
Inability or refusal to understand and/or sign informed consent to participate in the study, or to perform follow-up examinations required under the study

Interested in this trial?

Get notified about updates and connect with the research team.

Interventions

DEVICEAcupuncture (ACU)

acupoints will be Baihui (GV20); Zhongwan (CV12), Guanyuan (CV4), bilateral Zusanli (ST36) bilateral Taichong (LV3). The needles will remain for 30 min. Subjects will receive acupuncture twice a week during the 12-week intervention.

DEVICETranscutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation (tVNS)

Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation (tVNS) will be performed using an ECO TENS 2 device with an ear clip put in the conque aurea of the left ear, which is innervated by the auricular branch of the vagus nerve. In the groups receiving simulated tVNS, stimulation will be delivered to the ear lobe, which is devoid of vagal innervation. Stimulation will be delivered at a frequency of 20 Hz and a pulse width of 200 ms, while the stimulation amplitude will be individually titrated to 1 mA below the level that will lead to a mild unpleasant feeling, according to the parameters defined by Stavrakis et al (2017, 2020).

OTHERAPA (adapted physical activity )

The APA (adapted physical activity ) program : 2 sessions of 90 min (with 60 min of aerobic exercise and 30 min of resistance exercises per session) per week, for 12 consecutive weeks

DEVICEAcupuncture (sham_ACU)

Needles well be used in the non-acupoint area 2 centimeters away from the real acupoints. The needles will remain for 30 min. Subjects will receive sham acupuncture twice a week during the 12-week intervention.

DEVICESimulated Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation (sim_tVNS)

Simulated Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation (sim\_tVNS) will be performed using an ECO TENS 2 device with an ear clip put in the conque aurea of the left ear, which is innervated by the auricular branch of the vagus nerve. NSVt devices will be used in "simulated" mode.