Condition · Evidence Hub
Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Obesity
Does vagus nerve stimulation help with obesity? 19 human studies have investigated VNS for obesity, including 4 systematic reviews, 4 RCTs, and 7 controlled trials, published between 2007 and 2025, with 6 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.
4 systematic reviews · 4 RCTs · 7 controlled trials · 2 observational studies · 2 narrative reviews
Evidence by Tier
strongest → weakest
- 4Systematic reviews & meta-analyses
- 4Randomised controlled trials
- 7Controlled clinical trials
- 2Observational & cohort studies
- 2Narrative & scoping reviews
Stimulation Method
- 9taVNS
- 9iVNS
- 1tcVNS
Research Momentum
6 of 19 studies (32%) published since 2022.
The studies
19 studies · strongest evidence firstEffect of vagus nerve stimulation on metabolism: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Shen et al. · International journal of obesity (2005) · 2025
systematic reviewstaVNSEffects of auricular stimulation on weight- and obesity-related parameters: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials
Hua et al. · Frontiers in neuroscience · 2024 · n = 333
systematic reviewstaVNSNeuromodulation for the treatment of Prader-Willi syndrome - A systematic review
Qiu et al. · Neurotherapeutics : the journal of the American Society for Experimental NeuroTherapeutics · 2024 · n = 47
systematic reviewstcVNSVagal Nerve Therapy in the Management of Obesity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Fadel et al. · European Surgical Research · 2023 · n = 1,447
systematic reviewsiVNSEffect of Vagal Nerve Blockade on Moderate Obesity with an Obesity-Related Comorbid Condition: the ReCharge Study
Morton et al. · Obesity Surgery · 2016 · n = 84
RCTsiVNSSustained Weight Loss with Vagal Nerve Blockade but Not with Sham: 18-Month Results of the ReCharge Trial
Shikora et al. · Journal of Obesity · 2015 · n = 239
RCTsiVNSEffect of reversible intermittent intra-abdominal vagal nerve blockade on morbid obesity: the ReCharge randomized clinical trial
Ikramuddin et al. · JAMA · 2014 · n = 239
RCTsiVNSThe EMPOWER study: randomized, prospective, double-blind, multicenter trial of vagal blockade to induce weight loss in morbid obesity
Sarr et al. · Obesity Surgery · 2012 · n = 294
RCTsiVNSFive weeks of intermittent transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation shape neural networks: a machine learning approach
Obst et al. · Brain imaging and behavior · 2022
controlled trialstaVNSModulation of visual processing of food by transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS)
Alicart et al. · Brain imaging and behavior · 2021
controlled trialstaVNSBrain stimulation in obesity
Göbel et al. · International journal of obesity (2005) · 2017
controlled trialstaVNSVagal blocking improves glycemic control and elevated blood pressure in obese subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Shikora et al. · Journal of Obesity · 2013 · n = 28
controlled trialsiVNSIs the vagus nerve stimulation a way to decrease body weight in humans?
Bugajski et al. · Folia medica Cracoviensia · 2012
controlled trialstaVNSIntra-abdominal vagal blocking (VBLOC therapy): clinical results with a new implantable medical device
Camilleri et al. · Surgery · 2008 · n = 31
controlled trialsiVNSWeight loss during chronic, cervical vagus nerve stimulation in depressed patients with obesity: an observation
Pardo et al. · International journal of obesity (2005) · 2007
controlled trialstaVNSTwo-Year Outcomes of Vagal Nerve Blocking (vBloc) for the Treatment of Obesity in the ReCharge Trial
Apovian et al. · Obesity Surgery · 2017 · n = 162
observational studiesiVNSIntermittent Vagal Nerve Block for Improvements in Obesity, Cardiovascular Risk Factors, and Glycemic Control in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: 2-Year Results of the VBLOC DM2 Study
Shikora et al. · Obesity Surgery · 2016 · n = 28
observational studiesiVNSObesity and gut-microbiota-brain axis: A narrative review
Asadi et al. · Journal of clinical laboratory analysis · 2022
narrative reviewstaVNSRole of the vagus nerve in the development and treatment of diet-induced obesity
de Lartigue · The Journal of physiology · 2016
narrative reviewstaVNS