Ear zaps might tame pain – but Don't get excited yet
NCT ID NCT02821741
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tests whether stimulating a nerve in the left ear with a mild electric current can change how healthy people perceive pain. Over two sessions, 76 volunteers will receive stimulation either on the vagus nerve area or a non-nerve spot, while a heat probe is applied to their arm. Researchers will also track mood and vital signs to see if mood influences pain. It's a small, early study in healthy people, so it won't directly lead to a new treatment yet.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) device
What this could lead to
If successful, this could point toward a non-drug way to manage pain by stimulating the vagus nerve through the ear.
What could go wrong
This is a small, early-phase study in healthy volunteers, not patients. Results may not apply to real pain conditions, and the effect may be too weak to be useful.
Disclaimer
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This is a summary of
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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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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National Institutes of Health Clinical Center
RECRUITINGBethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••