Ear stimulation may boost IVF success – a trial investigates
NCT ID NCT06742788
First seen Aug 06, 2026 · Last updated Aug 07, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This pilot trial tests whether a non-invasive device that gently stimulates a nerve in the ear, called transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS), is feasible and well-tolerated in people undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF). The study will enroll 90 infertility patients aged 20 to 40 and compare taVNS to a sham device and no additional treatment. The main focus is on recruitment, adherence, and preliminary pregnancy outcomes, such as clinical pregnancy rates. If successful, this could lead to a larger trial to see if taVNS truly enhances IVF success.
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), a non-invasive device that delivers mild electrical pulses to the ear
- What this could lead to
- If this approach proves feasible and shows promise, it could offer a drug-free, low-risk add-on to IVF that may improve pregnancy outcomes for people with infertility.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small pilot study focused on feasibility, not proof of effectiveness. The device may not meaningfully improve IVF outcomes, and individual responses can vary.
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.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Xijing Hospital
RECRUITINGXi'an, Shaanxi, 710032, China
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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