Zapping a nerve during surgery might ease Post-Op blues

NCT ID NCT07458646

Not yet recruiting Symptom relief Sponsor: Chinese PLA General Hospital Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tests whether a device that gently stimulates a nerve in the ear (taVNS) during breast cancer surgery can help prevent or reduce negative emotions like anxiety and depression after the operation. About 232 women will receive either real or sham stimulation for 30 minutes while under anesthesia. Researchers will then track mood, pain, sleep, and recovery over the following days.

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 drug-free way to ease anxiety and depression after breast cancer surgery, improving recovery and quality of life.
What could go wrong: This is an early-stage trial with a single 30-minute session, so effects may be small or not last. The sham control helps, but results may not apply to all patients.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

anxiety anxiety disorder breast cancer Depression depressive disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

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

ANXIETY BREAST SURGERY DEPRESSION POSTOPERATIVE

Contacts and locations

Locations

Beijing Tiantan Hospital

Beijing, China
First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China.

Beijing, China

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