Neck stretches could tune your vagus nerve, study suggests

NCT ID NCT06541808

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This completed study tested three different intensities of gentle neck movements designed to stimulate the vagus nerve in 128 healthy adults. Researchers measured changes in heart rate, balance, pain sensitivity, and digestion (via stool samples). The goal was to find the best 'dose' of this non-invasive technique, which might one day help with conditions like chronic pain, dizziness, or digestive issues.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

mechanical vagus nerve stimulation (gentle neck movements)

What this could lead to

If successful, this could point toward a non-invasive, drug-free way to influence heart rate, balance, pain, and digestion, potentially helping conditions like chronic pain or autonomic disorders.

What could go wrong

This is a small, early-phase study in healthy adults, not patients. The effects may not translate to real-world treatments, and the optimal dosage is still unclear.

Disclaimer Read more

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.

infectious disease Pain vagus nerve disorder vestibular disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • UVienna

    Vienna, State of Vienna, 1090, Austria