Ear zaps aim to tame stomach troubles
NCT ID NCT06491758
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests whether electrically stimulating a nerve in the ear can reach the internal vagus nerve, which controls stomach function. Researchers will measure nerve signals and stomach activity in 131 healthy volunteers and people with gastroparesis. The goal is to see if this ear stimulation method could one day treat nausea, vomiting, and other stomach issues.
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 ear
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could lead to a non-invasive way to treat nausea, vomiting, and stomach disorders by stimulating the vagus nerve through the ear.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early-phase study focused on measuring nerve signals, not on treatment outcomes. It may not lead to a practical therapy, and 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.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Indiana University
Indianapolis, Indiana, 46202, United States
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