Neck stretches could tune your vagus nerve, study suggests

NCT ID NCT06541808

Knowledge-focused Sponsor: University of Vienna Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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.

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

128 people

The number who actually took part.

Started

Dec 2024

Finished

Apr 2026

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 to 60 years

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

Accepted

You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.

Show 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: * agreement to participate by signing the informed consent form, being 18-60 years old, and sober Exclusion Criteria: * participants having significant neck pain, headache, or leg pain \[with Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) greater than 3/10\], * pregnancy * recent neck or cardiovascular surgery or significant trauma in the preceding 3 months * diagnosis of cancer or inflammatory disorders (fever), * spinal cord or cauda equina signs, * widespread neurological disorders affecting the tone of the limbs and neck muscles * underlying diseases, such as diabetes mellitus. * pace-maker * antibiotic prescription during the last 3 months * gastrointestinal surgery, * lower extremity injury (acute or overuse) that prevented them from participating in sports activities for at least one day in the previous 6 months.

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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.

Equilibrium; disorder, labyrinth Heart rate Microbial colonization Pain Vagus nerve autonomic disorder

Neck stretches could tune your vagus nerve, study suggests

What the study statuses mean