Ear zap device could tame arthritis pain without drugs
NCT ID NCT06779123
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tests a portable device that sends mild electrical pulses to the vagus nerve through the ear, aiming to calm the immune system and reduce joint inflammation. It involves 128 adults with moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis who have not responded well to standard biologic or targeted drugs. Participants will use the device daily for 12 weeks, and researchers will measure if it improves joint tenderness and swelling compared to a sham device.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) device
What this could lead to
If it works, this could offer a non-drug, low-cost option to control inflammation and improve symptoms for people with rheumatoid arthritis.
What could go wrong
This is an early-stage trial with 128 participants, and the device may not work better than a sham. It is only for those who have not responded to other treatments.
Disclaimer
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the original study
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Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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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.
Contacts and locations
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Study contacts
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Contact
Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
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Contact
Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Locations
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Center for Rheumatology, Academic Specialist Centre
RECRUITINGStockholm, 17176, Sweden
Contact
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
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Dept of Rheumatology, Umeå University Hospital
RECRUITINGUmeå, 90189, Sweden
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Contact
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Dept of Rheumatology, Örebro University Hospital
RECRUITINGÖrebro, 70116, Sweden
Contact
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Contact
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Karolinska University Hospital
RECRUITINGStockholm, 17176, Sweden
Contact
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Contact
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
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Section for Rheumatology, Skåne University Hospital, Lund
RECRUITINGLund, Skåne County, SE 22185, Sweden
Contact
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
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Section for Rheumatology, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö
RECRUITINGMalmö, 20502, Sweden
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Contact