Condition · Evidence Hub
Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Cancer Support
Does vagus nerve stimulation help with cancer support? 9 human studies have investigated VNS for cancer support, including 3 RCTs and 6 controlled trials, published between 2019 and 2025, with 6 published since 2022. Studies use transcutaneous auricular (taVNS) and implanted (iVNS) stimulation. Findings vary by study design and population; the studies below are ranked by evidence strength so you can weigh the research directly.
3 RCTs · 6 controlled trials
Evidence by Tier
strongest → weakest
- 3Randomised controlled trials
- 6Controlled clinical trials
Stimulation Method
- 6taVNS
- 3iVNS
Research Momentum
6 of 9 studies (67%) published since 2022 — an actively growing evidence base.
The studies
9 studies · strongest evidence firstTranscutaneous Auricular Vagal Nerve Stimulation Is Effective for the Treatment of Functional Dyspepsia: A Multicenter, Randomized Controlled Study
Shi et al. · The American journal of gastroenterology · 2024 · n = 300
RCTstaVNSLow-intensity transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation reduces postoperative ileus after laparoscopic radical resection of colorectal cancer: a randomized controlled trial
Ru et al. · Minerva anestesiologica · 2023
RCTstaVNSPutative role of non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation in cancer pathology and immunotherapy: Can this be a hidden treasure, especially for the elderly?
Abdullahi et al. · Cancer medicine · 2023
controlled trialsiVNSVagus Nerve Stimulation-Induced Pseudo-Pheochromocytoma
Dutordoir et al. · Neuromodulation : journal of the International Neuromodulation Society · 2022
controlled trialstaVNSVocal Outcomes in Vagus Nerve Stimulation: A Laryngeal Pattern-Based Objective Analysis
Saibene et al. · Journal of voice : official journal of the Voice Foundation · 2022
controlled trialsiVNSVagus Nerve Stimulation for Tumor-Related Epilepsy: Does It Make Sense?
Lam et al. · The Permanente journal · 2021
controlled trialstaVNSHydrogel-based electrodes for selective cervical vagus nerve stimulation
Horn et al. · Journal of neural engineering · 2021
controlled trialsiVNSVagus nerve stimulation dampens intestinal inflammation in a murine model of experimental food allergy
Bosmans et al. · Allergy · 2019
controlled trialstaVNS