Condition · Evidence Hub
Vagus Nerve Stimulation for ADHD
Does vagus nerve stimulation help with adhd? 4 human studies have investigated VNS for adhd, including 1 controlled trial, 2 narrative reviews, and 1 case report, published between 2005 and 2025, with 2 published since 2022. Studies use transcutaneous auricular (taVNS) stimulation. Findings vary by study design and population; the studies below are ranked by evidence strength so you can weigh the research directly.
1 controlled trial · 2 narrative reviews · 1 case report
Evidence by Tier
strongest → weakest
- 1Controlled clinical trials
- 2Narrative & scoping reviews
- 1Case reports & series
Stimulation Method
- 4taVNS
Research Momentum
2 of 4 studies (50%) published since 2022 — an actively growing evidence base.
The studies
4 studies · strongest evidence firstTranscutaneous vagus nerve stimulation in patients with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: A viable option?
Zaehle et al. · Progress in brain research · 2021
controlled trialstaVNSA Clinical and Genetic Evaluation of Cases with Folate Receptor α Gene Mutation: A Case Series from Türkiye
Akgun et al. · Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025
case reportstaVNSTranscutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation as a potential therapy for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: modulation of the noradrenergic pathway in the prefrontal lobe
Zhi et al. · Frontiers in neuroscience · 2024
narrative reviewstaVNSEmerging brain-based interventions for children and adolescents: overview and clinical perspective
Hirshberg et al. · Child and adolescent psychiatric clinics of North America · 2005
narrative reviewstaVNS