Condition · Evidence Hub
Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Eating Disorders
Does vagus nerve stimulation help with eating disorders? 2 human studies have investigated VNS for eating disorders, including 1 controlled trial and 1 case report, published between 2020 and 2024, with 1 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.
1 controlled trial · 1 case report
2
Human Studies
1
controlled trial
16+
Participants
2020–2024
Years Spanned
Evidence by Tier
strongest → weakest
- 1Controlled clinical trials
- 1Case reports & series
Stimulation Method
- 1taVNS
- 1iVNS
Research Momentum
1 of 2 studies (50%) published since 2022 — an actively growing evidence base.
The studies
2 studies · strongest evidence firstTrans-auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation in the Treatment of Recovered Patients Affected by Eating and Feeding Disorders and Their Comorbidities
Melis et al. · Psychiatria Danubina · 2020 · n = 15
controlled trialstaVNSEffectiveness and possible brain mechanisms of cervical invasive vagus nerve stimulation (iVNS) intervention for avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder: a case report
Cai et al. · Psychoradiology · 2024 · n = 1
case reportsiVNS