{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,28]],"date-time":"2026-05-28T00:07:50Z","timestamp":1779926870486,"version":"3.53.1"},"reference-count":26,"publisher":"Springer Science and Business Media LLC","issue":"1","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,23]],"date-time":"2026-01-23T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1769126400000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0"},{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,12]],"date-time":"2026-02-12T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1770854400000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":20,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["link.springer.com"],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Sci Rep"],"abstract":"<jats:title>Abstract<\/jats:title>\n                  <jats:p>Interferential current transcutaneous stimulation (IW) has been reported to influence swallowing-related sensorimotor function, although its immediate effects on mastication remain unclear. In a randomized, sham-controlled crossover study, we examined whether IW stimulation applied over the masseter region is associated with immediate improvements in masticatory performance. The primary endpoint was glucose elution from a standardized gummy jelly, an indicator of masticatory and occlusal function; the secondary endpoint was a 0\u2013100\u00a0mm VAS of chewing ease. Mixed-effects modeling adjusted for period and sequence. IW produced immediate, within-session gains in occlusal function: glucose elution increased after IW (mean difference\u2009+\u200931.5\u00a0mg\/dL, p\u2009&lt;\u20090.001) but decreased with sham (\u2212\u200919.8\u00a0mg\/dL, p\u2009=\u20090.0019). VAS improved within both treatments, with a larger median gain under IW, and the mixed-effects model favored IW over sham. Although this study does not directly assess neural circuits, the observed pattern is consistent with peripheral sensory influences on masticatory output. Expectancy effects and other nonspecific contributors cannot be fully excluded and should be addressed in future studies using active control conditions and direct physiological measures. IW may offer a rapid, noninvasive adjunct to oral rehabilitation; confirmatory trials should incorporate direct force\/EMG, jaw kinematics, and salivary measures, and assess durability and clinical outcomes.<\/jats:p>\n                  <jats:p>\n                    Trial registration: UMIN-CTR UMIN000058249 (registered 2025-07-01). Direct link:\n                    <jats:ext-link xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" xlink:href=\"https:\/\/center6.umin.ac.jp\/cgi-open-bin\/ctr\/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000066586\" ext-link-type=\"uri\">https:\/\/center6.umin.ac.jp\/cgi-open-bin\/ctr\/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000066586<\/jats:ext-link>\n                    .\n                  <\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1038\/s41598-026-36307-6","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,23]],"date-time":"2026-01-23T12:37:19Z","timestamp":1769171839000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/springer_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":1,"title":["Interferential current stimulation during dental facial treatment improves masticatory function"],"prefix":"10.1038","volume":"16","author":[{"given":"Masayuki","family":"Hara","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Norimasa","family":"Hara","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Yoshitaka","family":"Oku","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"297","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,23]]},"reference":[{"key":"36307_CR1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"94","DOI":"10.1007\/s00455-011-9344-2","volume":"27","author":"T Furuta","year":"2012","unstructured":"Furuta, T., Takemura, M., Tsujita, J. & Oku, Y. Interferential electric stimulation applied to the neck increases swallowing frequency. Dysphagia 27, 94\u2013100. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s00455-011-9344-2 (2012).","journal-title":"Dysphagia"},{"key":"36307_CR2","first-page":"1","volume":"3","author":"S Sugishita","year":"2015","unstructured":"Sugishita, S. et al. Effects of short term interferential current stimulation on swallowing reflex in dysphagic patients. Int. J. Speech Lang. Pathol. Audiol. 3, 1\u20138 (2015).","journal-title":"Int. J. Speech Lang. Pathol. Audiol."},{"key":"36307_CR3","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1879","DOI":"10.2147\/CIA.S140746","volume":"12","author":"K Maeda","year":"2017","unstructured":"Maeda, K., Koga, T. & Akagi, J. Interferential current sensory stimulation, through the neck skin, improves airway defense and oral nutrition intake in patients with dysphagia: a double-blind randomized controlled trial. Clin. Interv. Aging 12, 1879\u20131886. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.2147\/CIA.S140746 (2017).","journal-title":"Clin. Interv. Aging"},{"key":"36307_CR4","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e000202","DOI":"10.1136\/bmjresp-2017-000202","volume":"4","author":"S Nagami","year":"2017","unstructured":"Nagami, S. et al. Breathing-swallowing discoordination is associated with frequent exacerbations of COPD. BMJ Open Respir. Res. 4, e000202. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1136\/bmjresp-2017-000202 (2017).","journal-title":"BMJ Open Respir. Res."},{"key":"36307_CR5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"491","DOI":"10.1002\/cre2.748","volume":"9","author":"Y Iizumi","year":"2023","unstructured":"Iizumi, Y., Ihara, Y., Koike, J. & Takahashi, K. Effects of interferential current electrical stimulation (IFCS) on mastication and swallowing function in healthy young adults: A preliminary study. Clin. Exp. Dent. Res. 9, 491\u2013499. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/cre2.748 (2023).","journal-title":"Clin. Exp. Dent. Res."},{"key":"36307_CR6","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"3497","DOI":"10.1007\/s11357-024-01325-7","volume":"47","author":"S Sato","year":"2025","unstructured":"Sato, S., Sasabuchi, Y., Okada, A. & Yasunaga, H. Association between self-reported difficulty in chewing or swallowing and frailty in older adults: A retrospective cohort study. Geroscience 47, 3497\u20133505. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s11357-024-01325-7 (2025).","journal-title":"Geroscience"},{"key":"36307_CR7","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/geriatrics6040113","author":"I Uno","year":"2021","unstructured":"Uno, I. & Kubo, T. Risk factors for aspiration pneumonia among elderly patients in a community-based integrated care unit: a retrospective cohort study. Geriatrics (Basel) https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/geriatrics6040113 (2021).","journal-title":"Geriatrics (Basel)"},{"key":"36307_CR8","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"104","DOI":"10.2186\/prp.5.104","volume":"5","author":"Y Kobayashi","year":"2006","unstructured":"Kobayashi, Y., Shiga, H., Arakawa, I. & Yokoyama, M. The effectiveness of measuring glucose extraction for estimating masticatory performance. Prosthodont. Res. Pract. 5, 104\u2013108 (2006).","journal-title":"Prosthodont. Res. Pract."},{"key":"36307_CR9","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"85","DOI":"10.1177\/154411130201300109","volume":"13","author":"KS Turker","year":"2002","unstructured":"Turker, K. S. Reflex control of human jaw muscles. Crit. Rev. Oral Biol. Med. 13, 85\u2013104. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/154411130201300109 (2002).","journal-title":"Crit. Rev. Oral Biol. Med."},{"key":"36307_CR10","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"919","DOI":"10.1152\/physrev.1979.59.4.919","volume":"59","author":"AB Vallbo","year":"1979","unstructured":"Vallbo, A. B., Hagbarth, K. E., Torebjork, H. E. & Wallin, B. G. Somatosensory, proprioceptive, and sympathetic activity in human peripheral nerves. Physiol. Rev. 59, 919\u2013957. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1152\/physrev.1979.59.4.919 (1979).","journal-title":"Physiol. Rev."},{"key":"36307_CR11","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"711","DOI":"10.1113\/jphysiol.1993.sp019659","volume":"464","author":"P Brodin","year":"1993","unstructured":"Brodin, P., Turker, K. S. & Miles, T. S. Mechanoreceptors around the tooth evoke inhibitory and excitatory reflexes in the human masseter muscle. J. Physiol. 464, 711\u2013723. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1113\/jphysiol.1993.sp019659 (1993).","journal-title":"J. Physiol."},{"key":"36307_CR12","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"21","DOI":"10.1113\/jphysiol.1975.sp011177","volume":"253","author":"Y Lamarre","year":"1975","unstructured":"Lamarre, Y. & Lund, J. P. Load compensation in human masseter muscles. J. Physiol. 253, 21\u201335. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1113\/jphysiol.1975.sp011177 (1975).","journal-title":"J. Physiol."},{"key":"36307_CR13","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"307","DOI":"10.1007\/BF00227200","volume":"100","author":"KS Turker","year":"1994","unstructured":"Turker, K. S., Brodin, P. & Miles, T. S. Reflex responses of motor units in human masseter muscle to mechanical stimulation of a tooth. Exp. Brain Res. 100, 307\u2013315. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/BF00227200 (1994).","journal-title":"Exp. Brain Res."},{"key":"36307_CR14","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"87","DOI":"10.2170\/jjphysiol.43.87","volume":"43","author":"C Yamamura","year":"1993","unstructured":"Yamamura, C., Kosugi, S., Ono, K. & Shimada, K. Patterns of jaw reflexes induced by incisal and molar pressure stimulation in relation to background levels of jaw-clenching force in humans. Jpn. J. Physiol. 43, 87\u2013102. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.2170\/jjphysiol.43.87 (1993).","journal-title":"Jpn. J. Physiol."},{"key":"36307_CR15","first-page":"291","volume":"26","author":"A Monaco","year":"2012","unstructured":"Monaco, A. et al. Immediate effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on masticatory muscle pain: A double-blind randomized controlled trial. J. Orofac. Pain 26, 291\u2013296 (2012).","journal-title":"J. Orofac. Pain"},{"key":"36307_CR16","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"3330","DOI":"10.3390\/jcm9103330","volume":"9","author":"S Abe","year":"2020","unstructured":"Abe, S. et al. Evaluation of the immediate effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on maximum bite force and muscle pain in patients with temporomandibular disorders. J. Clin. Med. 9, 3330 (2020).","journal-title":"J. Clin. Med."},{"key":"36307_CR17","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2661","DOI":"10.1007\/s00221-018-5325-0","volume":"236","author":"T Umezaki","year":"2018","unstructured":"Umezaki, T., Sugiyama, Y., Fuse, S., Mukudai, S. & Hirano, S. Supportive effect of interferential current stimulation on susceptibility of swallowing in guinea pigs. Exp. Brain Res. 236, 2661\u20132676. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s00221-018-5325-0 (2018).","journal-title":"Exp. Brain Res."},{"key":"36307_CR18","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1187","DOI":"10.1589\/jpts.27.2767","volume":"27","author":"JS Wang","year":"2015","unstructured":"Wang, J. S., An, C. M. & Kim, Y. H. The effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on the masseter muscle and temporalis muscle in elderly stroke patients and healthy elderly subjects. J. Phys. Ther. Sci. 27, 1187\u20131189 (2015).","journal-title":"J. Phys. Ther. Sci."},{"key":"36307_CR19","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"4902","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph17134902","volume":"17","author":"JS Park","year":"2020","unstructured":"Park, J. S., An, C. M. & Oh, D. W. Effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation combined with masticatory exercise on bite force and masseter muscle thickness in community-dwelling older adults: A randomized controlled trial. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 17, 4902 (2020).","journal-title":"Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health"},{"key":"36307_CR20","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"481","DOI":"10.1016\/j.oooo.2016.01.017","volume":"121","author":"Y Hasegawa","year":"2016","unstructured":"Hasegawa, Y. et al. Enhanced salivary secretion by interferential current stimulation in patients with dry mouth: a pilot study. Oral Surg. Oral Med. Oral Pathol. Oral Radiol. 121, 481\u2013489. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.oooo.2016.01.017 (2016).","journal-title":"Oral Surg. Oral Med. Oral Pathol. Oral Radiol."},{"key":"36307_CR21","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"127","DOI":"10.2186\/prp.6.127","volume":"6","author":"H Shiga","year":"2007","unstructured":"Shiga, H., Kobayashi, Y., Arakawa, I., Yokoyama, M. & Namba, N. Effects of saliva secretion on the assessment of masticatory performance. Prosthodont. Res. Pract. 6, 127\u2013131 (2007).","journal-title":"Prosthodont. Res. Pract."},{"key":"36307_CR22","first-page":"256","volume":"84","author":"GLY Cheing","year":"2003","unstructured":"Cheing, G. L. Y. & Hui-Chan, C. W. Y. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation: nonparallel antinociceptive effects on chronic pain and acute experimental pain. Arch. Phys. Med. Rehabil. 84, 256\u2013262 (2003).","journal-title":"Arch. Phys. Med. Rehabil."},{"key":"36307_CR23","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"613","DOI":"10.1590\/1678-77572016-0173","volume":"25","author":"LA Ferreira","year":"2017","unstructured":"Ferreira, L. A. et al. Effectiveness of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in patients with temporomandibular disorders: A randomized clinical trial. J. Appl. Oral Sci. 25, 613\u2013623 (2017).","journal-title":"J. Appl. Oral Sci."},{"key":"36307_CR24","first-page":"232","volume":"35","author":"RH Affoo","year":"2018","unstructured":"Affoo, R. H. et al. The effect of tooth brushing on salivary flow in older adults. Gerodontology 35, 232\u2013239 (2018).","journal-title":"Gerodontology"},{"key":"36307_CR25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1875","DOI":"10.1177\/00220345920710121801","volume":"71","author":"C Dawes","year":"1992","unstructured":"Dawes, C. The effects of gum chewing on salivary flow rate and pH stimulation. J. Dent. Res. 71, 1875\u20131878 (1992).","journal-title":"J. Dent. Res."},{"key":"36307_CR26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"353","DOI":"10.1016\/S0003-9969(03)00011-6","volume":"48","author":"KE Polland","year":"2003","unstructured":"Polland, K. E. et al. The influence of chewing gum on salivary flow rate and composition. Arch. Oral Biol. 48, 353\u2013359 (2003).","journal-title":"Arch. Oral Biol."}],"container-title":["Scientific Reports"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41598-026-36307-6","content-type":"text\/html","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41598-026-36307-6.pdf","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41598-026-36307-6.pdf","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,12]],"date-time":"2026-02-12T22:02:49Z","timestamp":1770933769000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41598-026-36307-6"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,23]]},"references-count":26,"journal-issue":{"issue":"1","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,12]]}},"alternative-id":["36307"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41598-026-36307-6","relation":{},"ISSN":["2045-2322"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2045-2322","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,23]]},"assertion":[{"value":"13 September 2025","order":1,"name":"received","label":"Received","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"value":"12 January 2026","order":2,"name":"accepted","label":"Accepted","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"value":"23 January 2026","order":3,"name":"first_online","label":"First Online","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"order":1,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Declarations"}},{"value":"The authors declare no competing interests.","order":2,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Competing interests"}}],"article-number":"6063"}}