Ear nerve zaps show promise for fibromyalgia pain and fatigue
NCT ID NCT07577102
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tested whether stimulating a nerve in the ear (taVNS) can help people with fibromyalgia feel better and exercise more. 90 adults with fibromyalgia were split into three groups: one-sided stimulation, both ears, or just a home exercise program. Over two weeks, researchers measured symptoms like pain, anxiety, sleep, and how many reps they could do. The goal was to see if adding nerve stimulation to exercise gives extra benefits.
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) device
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a non-drug way to ease fibromyalgia symptoms and improve exercise ability.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, short-term study (2 weeks, 90 people) with no blinding, so results may not be reliable or last long-term.
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
-
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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90 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Jan 2022
- Finished
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Jun 2023
- 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
-
18 to 45 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Were between 18 and 45 years of age * Were diagnosed with fibromyalgia according to the 2016 ACR diagnostic criteria \-- Stable clinical condition * Ability to understand and follow study procedures * Willingness to participate and provide informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * A history of malignancy * Cardiopulmonary diseases contraindicating exercise * Limb loss * Ear infections and implants, implanted electronic devices * Systemic diseases (hematological, endocrine, rheumatological, renal, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, neurological, or autoimmune diseases) * Active infection * Surgery or major trauma within the previous 6 months * Postmenopausal status * Pregnancy or lactation
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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
-
Darülaceze Medical Center
Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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