Condition · Evidence Hub
Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Kidney Disease
Does vagus nerve stimulation help with kidney disease? 4 human studies have investigated VNS for kidney disease, including 1 controlled trial 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.
1 controlled trial · 3 narrative reviews
Evidence by Tier
strongest → weakest
- 1Controlled clinical trials
- 3Narrative & scoping reviews
Stimulation Method
- 3iVNS
- 1taVNS
Research Momentum
3 of 4 studies (75%) published since 2022 — an actively growing evidence base.
The studies
4 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 trialstaVNSNeuroimmune 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