Current Landscape of Clinical Interventions for Trigeminal Neuralgia: A Scoping Review.

OBJECTIVES

To describe the most commonly used interventions for the management of trigeminal neuralgia (TN), a neurological disorder characterized by episodes of intense, paroxysmal facial pain that severely affect quality of life and interfere with daily activities such as eating, speaking, and maintaining oral hygiene.

DESIGN

Scoping review.

DATA SOURCES: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, Web of Science, and PsycINFO databases. Articles published between 2020 and 2025, written in English or Spanish, involving adults aged over 18 years and addressing interventions for TN, including pharmacological, surgical, and noninvasive treatments, were considered eligible.

REVIEW/ANALYSIS

METHODS

Studies were screened by title, abstract, and full-text review according to predefined eligibility criteria. The review focused on identifying and mapping the range of interventions used in TN management. Thirty-seven articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in the final synthesis.

RESULTS

Most of the included studies investigated minimally invasive interventions, particularly percutaneous rhizotomy, followed by noninvasive approaches such as neuromodulation techniques and invasive procedures including microvascular decompression. The evidence suggests that TN management requires a multimodal approach, with pharmacological therapy as the first-line treatment and surgical or neuromodulation procedures reserved for refractory cases. Treatment selection should consider pain severity, response to medication, and the presence of neurovascular compression. Complementary therapies may also contribute to improving patient outcomes, although further research is needed to establish their effectiveness.

CONCLUSIONS

An individualized treatment approach is essential to optimize pain control and improve quality of life in individuals with TN. Integrating pharmacological, surgical, and noninvasive strategies according to patient characteristics and clinical presentation may enhance treatment effectiveness and functional outcomes.Nursing Practice.

IMPLICATIONS: These findings emphasize the importance of systematic pain assessment, patient education regarding pharmacological management, monitoring for adverse effects associated with interventional procedures, and the implementation of psychosocial support strategies. Nurses play a key role in promoting treatment adherence, identifying unmet supportive care needs, and improving the overall quality of life of individuals living with TN.