Ear stimulation may tame POTS symptoms
NCT ID NCT02281097
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tests whether a mild electrical current applied to the skin of the ear can help people with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). POTS causes a rapid heart rate and symptoms like light-headedness and fatigue when standing. The treatment aims to stimulate the vagus nerve through the ear to improve heart rate and reduce symptoms. The trial involves 18 participants and compares the real stimulation to a sham (placebo) version.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve through the skin of the ear
What this could lead to
If it works, this could offer a non-drug way to manage POTS symptoms like light-headedness and fatigue.
What could go wrong
This is a very small early study with only 18 people, so results may not apply to everyone. The sham (placebo) group also gets some stimulation, which could blur the real effect.
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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Autonomic Dysfunction Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, Tennessee, 37232-2195, United States