Condition · Evidence Hub
Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Fibromyalgia
Does vagus nerve stimulation help with fibromyalgia? 11 human studies have investigated VNS for fibromyalgia, including 1 systematic review, 3 RCTs, and 4 controlled trials, published between 2011 and 2026, with 7 published since 2022. Studies use transcutaneous auricular (taVNS), implanted (iVNS), 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.
1 systematic review · 3 RCTs · 4 controlled trials · 3 narrative reviews
Evidence by Tier
strongest → weakest
- 1Systematic reviews & meta-analyses
- 3Randomised controlled trials
- 4Controlled clinical trials
- 3Narrative & scoping reviews
Stimulation Method
- 9taVNS
- 1iVNS
- 1tcVNS
Research Momentum
7 of 11 studies (64%) published since 2022 — an actively growing evidence base.
The studies
11 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 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
RCTstaVNSEffects 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 trialstaVNSVagal nerve stimulation and fibromyalgia: an additional therapeutic option
Dolcini et al. · Clinical and experimental rheumatology · 2025
controlled trialstaVNSFunctional 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 trialsiVNSVagus nerve stimulation as a novel therapeutic approach for musculoskeletal diseases
Yadav et al. · The American journal of the medical sciences · 2026
narrative reviewstaVNSThe role of the vagus nerve in fibromyalgia syndrome
Martins et al. · Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews · 2021
narrative reviewstaVNSEfficacy and mode of action of external trigeminal neurostimulation in migraine
Schoenen et al. · Expert review of neurotherapeutics · 2018
narrative reviewstcVNS
Registered trials — results pending
2 registered protocols with no published results yet. Listed for context; not counted in the evidence total.
Evaluating the efficacy and acceptability of vagus nerve stimulation for fibromyalgia: a PRISMA-compliant protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
Cai et al. · 2024 · protocol
Motivational nondirective resonance breathing versus transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation in the treatment of fibromyalgia: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Paccione et al. · 2020 · protocol