Condition · Evidence Hub
Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Kidney Disease
Does vagus nerve stimulation help with kidney disease? 5 human studies have investigated VNS for kidney disease, including 2 controlled trials and 3 narrative reviews, published between 2015 and 2025, with 3 published since 2022. Studies use implanted (iVNS) and transcutaneous auricular (taVNS) stimulation. Findings vary by study design and population; the studies below are ranked by evidence strength so you can weigh the research directly.
2 controlled trials · 3 narrative reviews
Evidence by Tier
strongest → weakest
- 2Controlled clinical trials
- 3Narrative & scoping reviews
Stimulation Method
- 4iVNS
- 1taVNS
Research Momentum
3 of 5 studies (60%) published since 2022 — an actively growing evidence base.
The studies
5 studies · strongest evidence firstTranscutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation improves cognitive decline by alleviating intradialytic cerebral hypoxia in hemodialysis patients: A fNIRS pilot study
Wang et al. · Heliyon · 2024 · n = 36
controlled trialstaVNSVagus nerve stimulation mediates protection from kidney ischemia-reperfusion injury through α7nAChR+ splenocytes
Inoue et al. · The Journal of clinical investigation · 2016
controlled trialsiVNSNeuroimmune Control of Inflammation in Acute Kidney Injury and Multiorgan Dysfunction
Goggins et al. · Journal of the American Society of Nephrology : JASN · 2025
narrative reviewsiVNSThe role of neuromodulation in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction
Algheffari et al. · Current problems in cardiology · 2025
narrative reviewsiVNSVagal modulation of hypertension
Petkovich et al. · Current hypertension reports · 2015
narrative reviewsiVNS