Condition · Evidence Hub
Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Metabolic
Does vagus nerve stimulation help with metabolic? 10 human studies have investigated VNS for metabolic, including 1 RCT, 4 controlled trials, and 2 observational studies, published between 2014 and 2026, with 5 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 RCT · 4 controlled trials · 2 observational studies · 3 narrative reviews
Evidence by Tier
strongest → weakest
- 1Randomised controlled trials
- 4Controlled clinical trials
- 2Observational & cohort studies
- 3Narrative & scoping reviews
Stimulation Method
- 8taVNS
- 1iVNS
- 1tcVNS
Research Momentum
5 of 10 studies (50%) published since 2022 — an actively growing evidence base.
The studies
10 studies · strongest evidence firstPossible Glycemic Effects of Vagus Nerve Stimulation Evaluated by Continuous Glucose Monitoring in People with Diabetes and Autonomic Neuropathy: A Randomized, Sham-Controlled Trial
Kufaishi et al. · Diabetes technology & therapeutics · 2025 · n = 145
RCTstaVNSCombining Celiac and Hepatic Vagus Nerve Neuromodulation Reverses Glucose Intolerance and Improves Glycemic Control in Pre- and Overt-Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Waataja et al. · Biomedicines · 2023
controlled trialstaVNSGut-brain communication by distinct sensory neurons differently controls feeding and glucose metabolism
Borgmann et al. · Cell metabolism · 2021
controlled trialstaVNSNo modulation of postprandial metabolism by transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation: a cross-over study in 15 healthy men
Vosseler et al. · Scientific reports · 2020
controlled trialstaVNSEffect of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation on impaired glucose tolerance: a pilot randomized study
Huang et al. · BMC complementary and alternative medicine · 2014 · n = 100
controlled trialstaVNSChronic vagus nerve stimulation for drug-resistant epilepsy may influence fasting blood glucose concentration
Liu et al. · BioMedical Engineering OnLine · 2020 · n = 32
observational studiesiVNSEffect of vagus nerve stimulation on blood glucose concentration in epilepsy patients - Importance of stimulation parameters
Stauss et al. · Physiological Reports · 2019 · n = 40
observational studiestcVNSBrain-gut interaction for holistic regulation: Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation in modulating glucose and lipid metabolic disorders
Zou et al. · Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland) · 2026
narrative reviewstaVNSThe latest reports and treatment methods on polycystic ovary syndrome
Stańczak et al. · Annals of medicine · 2024
narrative reviewstaVNSTranscutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation as a potential novel treatment for polycystic ovary syndrome
Zhang et al. · Scientific reports · 2023
narrative reviewstaVNS