Condition · Evidence Hub
Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Ageing
Does vagus nerve stimulation help with ageing? 9 human studies have investigated VNS for ageing, including 5 RCTs and 4 controlled trials, published between 2009 and 2024, with 5 published since 2022. Studies use transcutaneous auricular (taVNS) and transcutaneous cervical (tcVNS) stimulation. Findings vary by study design and population; the studies below are ranked by evidence strength so you can weigh the research directly.
5 RCTs · 4 controlled trials
Evidence by Tier
strongest → weakest
- 5Randomised controlled trials
- 4Controlled clinical trials
Stimulation Method
- 8taVNS
- 1tcVNS
Research Momentum
5 of 9 studies (56%) published since 2022 — an actively growing evidence base.
The studies
9 studies · strongest evidence firstAge as an Effect Modifier of the Effects of Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation (taVNS) on Heart Rate Variability in Healthy Subjects
Gianlorenco et al. · Journal of Clinical Medicine · 2024 · n = 44
RCTstaVNSEffect of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation on delayed neurocognitive recovery in elderly patients
Zhou et al. · Aging Clinical and Experimental Research · 2022 · n = 124
RCTstaVNSThe efficacy and safety of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation in patients with mild cognitive impairment: A double blinded randomized clinical trial
Wang et al. · Brain Stimulation · 2022 · n = 52
RCTstaVNSEffects of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation in individuals aged 55 years or above: potential benefits of daily stimulation
Bretherton et al. · Aging · 2019 · n = 29
RCTstaVNSTranscutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation boosts associative memory in older individuals
Jacobs et al. · Neurobiology of Aging · 2015 · n = 30
RCTstaVNSEvaluation of Laryngeal Motor Neuropathy Using Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation-Mediated Evoked Potentials
Sadoughi et al. · The Laryngoscope · 2022 · n = 5
controlled trialstaVNSThe role of age-associated autonomic dysfunction in inflammation and endothelial dysfunction
Jiang et al. · GeroScience · 2022
controlled trialstcVNSEffect of aging on vagus somatosensory evoked potentials and ultrasonographic parameters of the vagus nerve
Laucius et al. · Journal of clinical neuroscience : official journal of the Neurosurgical Society of Australasia · 2021 · n = 20
controlled trialstaVNSCold face test in persons with spinal cord injury: age versus inactivity
Wecht et al. · Clinical autonomic research : official journal of the Clinical Autonomic Research Society · 2009
controlled trialstaVNS