Ear-Zap device calms stressed students in new trial
NCT ID NCT07411846
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested a non-invasive device that sends mild electrical pulses to a nerve in the ear (taVNS) to see if it lowers stress and distress in university students. Forty students with high distress levels received either real or fake stimulation for five days. The researchers measured stress and distress before, right after, and one month later, and also checked if the treatment was practical and well-tolerated.
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
-
40 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Jan 2025
- Finished
-
Jun 2025
- Lead sponsor
-
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 years and older
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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: * Being a university student * Age ≥18 years * High to very high levels of psychological distress (K10 score ≥22) Exclusion Criteria: * Psychotropic medication initiation or dose change within the last 3 months * Substance dependence * Current psychological or psychotherapeutic treatment * Any formal mental disorder diagnosis * Pregnancy * History of dizziness or seizures * Cochlear implants * Ear plastic surgery * Auricular malformations
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Perceived stress are added.
Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
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
-
Egas Moniz School of Health & Science
Almada, Setúbal District, 2829 - 511, Portugal
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Can a phone app ease the mental toll of childhood trauma?
- Can a roller device massage away stress and fix your sleep?
- Can a Four-Session talk therapy course ease medical Students' anxiety?
- Can a Six-Session online program help hospital workers recover from stress?
- Does a camera lens offer a path to calmer minds?
- Talking it out: can midwives deliver mental health care for new mothers?