Zapping or massaging a nerve in the ear might calm your body's stress system
NCT ID NCT07660744
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Sep 09, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study explores whether non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation — either with a mild electrical pulse on the ear or through manual massage techniques — can change heart rate variability and ease symptoms like fatigue and poor sleep. Researchers will compare two approaches in healthy adults aged 40 to 70 over 10 days. The goal is to see if these simple techniques can shift the body toward a more relaxed, parasympathetic state.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- transcutaneous electrical vagus nerve stimulation and manual vagus nerve therapy
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a simple, non-invasive way to improve autonomic balance, fatigue, and sleep quality.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early study in healthy volunteers, so results may not apply to people with medical conditions. The effects may be subtle or not clinically meaningful.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 16 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
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Oct 2026
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
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Feb 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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40 to 70 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Healthy volunteers between 40 and 70 years of age. * No known neurological pathology. * Willingness to participate voluntarily in the study. Exclusion criteria: * Cognitive impairment objectively assessed by a neurologist and considered relevant. * Contraindications for the application of transcutaneous auricular stimulation (implanted cardiac pacemaker or deep brain stimulation treatment). * Consumption of tea, caffeine, energy drinks, alcohol or tobacco in the two hours prior to the intervention.
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As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
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