Ear zaps may soothe painful side effect of breast cancer drugs
NCT ID NCT07593365
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tests whether a gentle electrical stimulation on the ear (called taVNS) can reduce joint and muscle pain caused by aromatase inhibitors, a common breast cancer treatment. 216 women with hormone-positive breast cancer will receive either real or sham stimulation daily for 28 days. Researchers will track pain levels, mood, quality of life, and side effects over 6 months.
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)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a non-drug way to reduce pain and improve quality of life for breast cancer patients on hormone therapy.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early-stage trial with a sham control, so results may not be conclusive. The treatment is daily for 28 days, and benefits may not last or apply to everyone.
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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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Study contacts
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Contact
Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
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Contact
Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Locations
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Peking University People's Hospital
Beijing, Beijing Municipality, 100044, China
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
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