Zapping nerves to breathe easier: tiny trial tests new COPD approach

NCT ID NCT06985628

Completed Symptom relief Sponsor: Université de Sherbrooke Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This small study tested whether gentle electrical stimulation of the vagus or trigeminal nerve could ease severe breathlessness in people with advanced COPD. Eight participants tried both active and sham stimulation during exercise. The main goal was to see if such a study is even possible, not to prove the treatment works.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulation (tVNS) and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) devices
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a drug-free way to reduce breathlessness during exercise for people with severe COPD.
What could go wrong: This is a very small feasibility study with only 8 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The devices may not provide meaningful relief, and side effects are unknown.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Dyspnea

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE SEVERE DYSPNEA

Contacts and locations

Locations

Centre hospitalier universitaire de Sherbrooke (CHUS)

Sherbrooke, Quebec, J1H 5H3, Canada

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