Can a gentle zap to the neck or ear calm body distress?
NCT ID NCT07198542
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study compares two non-invasive devices that stimulate the vagus nerve—one placed on the neck, the other on the ear—to see which better reduces physical discomfort and health-related anxiety in people with somatic symptom disorder. Sixty participants will try both devices in random order, each for two weeks, with a week off in between. The goal is to find a safe, drug-free way to help those who experience troubling physical symptoms and excessive worry about their health.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (gammaCore and Nurosym devices)
What this could lead to
If successful, this could offer a safe, drug-free option to ease physical symptoms and health worries in people with somatic symptom disorder.
What could go wrong
This is a small, early-stage crossover trial with only 60 participants. Results may not apply to everyone, and the devices may not work better than a placebo.
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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Locations
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Department of Psychiatry, National Taiwan University Hospital Yunlin Branch
Douliu, Yunlin, 640, Taiwan