Condition · Evidence Hub
Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Inflammation
Does vagus nerve stimulation help with inflammation? 25 human studies have investigated VNS for inflammation, including 3 systematic reviews, 4 RCTs, and 9 controlled trials, published between 2002 and 2025, with 11 published since 2022. Studies use implanted (iVNS), 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.
3 systematic reviews · 4 RCTs · 9 controlled trials · 9 narrative reviews
Evidence by Tier
strongest → weakest
- 3Systematic reviews & meta-analyses
- 4Randomised controlled trials
- 9Controlled clinical trials
- 9Narrative & scoping reviews
Stimulation Method
- 14iVNS
- 8taVNS
- 3tcVNS
Research Momentum
11 of 25 studies (44%) published since 2022 — an actively growing evidence base.
The studies
25 studies · strongest evidence firstEffects of Auricular Stimulation on Inflammatory Parameters: Results of a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Hua et al. · Neuromodulation : journal of the International Neuromodulation Society · 2025 · n = 1,122
systematic reviewstaVNSVagus nerve stimulation in autoimmune conditions: a systematic review
Lombo et al. · ACR Open Rheumatology · 2025
systematic reviewsiVNSNo consistent evidence for the anti-inflammatory effect of vagus nerve stimulation in humans: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Schiweck et al. · Brain, Behavior, and Immunity · 2024 · n = 1,135
systematic reviewstaVNSTranscutaneous vagus nerve stimulation has no anti-inflammatory effect in diabetes
Okdahl et al. · Scientific Reports · 2024 · n = 131
RCTstcVNSNoninvasive Vagus Nerve Stimulation in Postural Tachycardia Syndrome: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Stavrakis et al. · JACC. Clinical electrophysiology · 2024
RCTstaVNSTranscutaneous vagal nerve stimulation blocks stress-induced activation of Interleukin-6 and interferon-gamma in posttraumatic stress disorder: A double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled trial
Bremner et al. · Brain, Behavior, & Immunity - Health · 2020 · n = 25
RCTstcVNSTransvenous vagus nerve stimulation does not modulate the innate immune response during experimental human endotoxemia: a randomized controlled study
Kox et al. · Arthritis research & therapy · 2015 · n = 20
RCTsiVNSDirect vagus nerve stimulation: A new tool to control allergic airway inflammation through α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor
Sévoz-Couche et al. · British journal of pharmacology · 2024
controlled trialsiVNSBrief periods of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation improve autonomic balance and alter circulating monocytes and endothelial cells in patients with metabolic syndrome: a pilot study
de Moraes et al. · Bioelectronic medicine · 2023 · n = 30
controlled trialstaVNSTranscutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation reduces cytokine production in sepsis: An open double-blind, sham-controlled, pilot study
Wu et al. · Brain stimulation · 2023
controlled trialstaVNSNoninvasive Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation Decreases Whole Blood Culture-Derived Cytokines and Chemokines: A Randomized, Blinded, Healthy Control Pilot Trial
Lerman et al. · Neuromodulation : journal of the International Neuromodulation Society · 2016 · n = 20
controlled trialstcVNSVagus nerve stimulation inhibits cytokine production and attenuates disease severity in rheumatoid arthritis
Koopman et al. · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · 2016 · n = 17
controlled trialsiVNSLow-level transcutaneous electrical vagus nerve stimulation suppresses atrial fibrillation
Stavrakis et al. · Journal of the American College of Cardiology · 2015
controlled trialstaVNSAcetylcholine-synthesizing T cells relay neural signals in a vagus nerve circuit
Rosas-Ballina et al. · Science (New York, N.Y.) · 2011
controlled trialsiVNSEffects of vagus nerve stimulation on pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine induction in patients with refractory epilepsy
De Herdt et al. · Journal of neuroimmunology · 2009 · n = 10
controlled trialsiVNSThe effects of vagus nerve stimulation on pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in humans: a preliminary report
Corcoran et al. · Neuroimmunomodulation · 2005 · n = 10
controlled trialsiVNSNeuro-immune interactions: Exploring the anti-inflammatory role of the vagus nerve
Liu et al. · International immunopharmacology · 2025
narrative reviewsiVNSClinical applications and mechanisms of vagus nerve stimulation in the treatment of immune diseases: a review
Liu et al. · International journal of surgery (London, England) · 2025
narrative reviewsiVNSManipulation of the inflammatory reflex as a therapeutic strategy
Kelly et al. · Cell Reports Medicine · 2022
narrative reviewsiVNSAdvances in the Treatment of Cholinergic Anti-Inflammatory Pathways in Gastrointestinal Diseases by Electrical Stimulation of Vagus Nerve
Lei et al. · Digestion · 2021
narrative reviewstaVNSThe cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway in chronic kidney disease-review and vagus nerve stimulation clinical pilot study
Hilderman et al. · Nephrology, dialysis, transplantation : official publication of the European Dialysis and Transplant Association - European Renal Association · 2020
narrative reviewsiVNSAnti-inflammatory properties of the vagus nerve: potential therapeutic implications of vagus nerve stimulation
Bonaz et al. · The Journal of physiology · 2016
narrative reviewsiVNSThe cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway
Pavlov & Tracey · Brain, Behavior, and Immunity · 2005
narrative reviewsiVNSTNF(alpha) modulation of visceral and spinal sensory processing
Hermann et al. · Current pharmaceutical design · 2005
narrative reviewstaVNSThe inflammatory reflex
Tracey · Nature · 2002
narrative reviewsiVNS