Ear-Zap device may calm surgery nerves without pills

NCT ID NCT07495163

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

Summary

This study tests a non-invasive device that gently stimulates a nerve in the ear to reduce anxiety in people having major abdominal surgery. Over 282 participants will either get the real stimulation or a sham version for 60 minutes daily, starting two days before surgery. The goal is to see if this approach can lower anxiety and improve recovery without the side effects of standard anxiety medications.

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 before and after major abdominal surgery, potentially improving recovery.

What could go wrong

This is an early-stage trial with no phase designation, so results are uncertain. The effect may be small or no different from a placebo, and the device may not work for everyone.

Disclaimer Read more

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

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • Huzhou Central Hospital

    Huzhou, Zhejiang, China

  • Jiande First People's Hospital

    Meicheng, Zhejiang, China

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • The Second Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University

    Jiaxing, Zhejiang, China

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.

    Hangzhou, China

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••