Condition · Evidence Hub
Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Fibromyalgia
Does vagus nerve stimulation help with fibromyalgia? 14 human studies have investigated VNS for fibromyalgia, including 2 systematic reviews, 4 RCTs, and 8 controlled trials, published between 2011 and 2026, with 9 published since 2022. Studies use transcutaneous auricular (taVNS), transcutaneous cervical (tcVNS), 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.
2 systematic reviews · 4 RCTs · 8 controlled trials
Evidence by Tier
strongest → weakest
- 2Systematic reviews & meta-analyses
- 4Randomised controlled trials
- 8Controlled clinical trials
Stimulation Method
- 11taVNS
- 2tcVNS
- 1iVNS
Research Momentum
9 of 14 studies (64%) published since 2022 — an actively growing evidence base.
The studies
14 studies · strongest evidence firstPotential of Vagus Nerve Stimulation to Modulate Fibromyalgia's Network Physiology: A Systematic Review
Perin et al. · Journal of functional morphology and kinesiology · 2025
systematic reviewstaVNSEvaluating the efficacy and acceptability of vagus nerve stimulation for fibromyalgia: a PRISMA-compliant protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
Cai et al. · Frontiers in neurology · 2024
systematic reviewstaVNSLaterality-Dependent Biological Effects of Manual Acupuncture Stimulation of the Auricular Vagus Nerve in Women with Fibromyalgia: A Randomized, Sham-Controlled Trial
Neves et al. · Pain medicine (Malden, Mass.) · 2026
RCTstcVNSEffects of left and bilateral transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation on pain, mood, and autonomic nervous system in female patients with fibromyalgia: a randomized controlled trial
Akkurt et al. · Physiotherapy theory and practice · 2025
RCTstaVNSMeditative-based diaphragmatic breathing vs. vagus nerve stimulation in the treatment of fibromyalgia-A randomized controlled trial: Body vs. machine
Paccione et al. · Frontiers in neurology · 2022
RCTstaVNSNon-invasive auricular vagus nerve stimulation in fibromyalgia: Impacts on autonomic function, central sensitization and pain catastrophizing
Lommano et al. · Joint bone spine · 2026
controlled trialstaVNSVagus nerve stimulation as a novel therapeutic approach for musculoskeletal diseases
Yadav et al. · The American journal of the medical sciences · 2026
controlled trialstaVNSVagal nerve stimulation and fibromyalgia: an additional therapeutic option
Dolcini et al. · Clinical and experimental rheumatology · 2025
controlled trialstaVNSEditorial: Non-invasive and minimally invasive vagus nerve stimulation for chronic pain
Woodbury et al. · Frontiers in pain research (Lausanne, Switzerland) · 2024
controlled trialsiVNSThe role of the vagus nerve in fibromyalgia syndrome
Martins et al. · Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews · 2021
controlled trialstaVNSEfficacy and mode of action of external trigeminal neurostimulation in migraine
Schoenen et al. · Expert review of neurotherapeutics · 2018
controlled trialstcVNSFunctional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Evaluation of Auricular Percutaneous Electrical Neural Field Stimulation for Fibromyalgia: Protocol for a Feasibility Study
Gebre et al. · JMIR research protocols · 2018
controlled trialstaVNSSafety and efficacy of vagus nerve stimulation in fibromyalgia: a phase I/II proof of concept trial
Lange et al. · Pain medicine (Malden, Mass.) · 2011
controlled trialstaVNS