Ear zap therapy: a new hope for aging hearts?
NCT ID NCT05230732
First seen Aug 11, 2026 · Last updated Aug 12, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This trial tests whether a gentle electrical stimulation applied to the ear—a technique called low-level transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation—can help older adults with systolic heart failure. The study will compare daily one-hour sessions of real stimulation versus a sham (inactive) version over 12 weeks. Researchers will measure changes in exercise capacity, quality of life, inflammation, and blood vessel function to see if this non-drug approach could offer a new way to manage heart failure symptoms.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- low-level transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (LLTS) via a device applied to the ear
- What this could lead to
- If effective, this could offer a non-drug, at-home therapy to ease heart failure symptoms, boost exercise capacity, and improve quality of life in older adults.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early proof-of-concept study, so results may not be conclusive. The stimulation is experimental and may not work for everyone, and there is a small risk of discomfort or side effects from the device.
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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
Locations
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University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
RECRUITINGOklahoma City, Oklahoma, 73117, United States
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