Condition · Evidence Hub
Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Respiratory
Does vagus nerve stimulation help with respiratory? 24 human studies have investigated VNS for respiratory, including 2 systematic reviews, 1 RCT, and 11 controlled trials, published between 1983 and 2026, with 8 published since 2022. Studies use transcutaneous cervical (tcVNS), 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 systematic reviews · 1 RCT · 11 controlled trials · 7 observational studies · 3 case reports
Evidence by Tier
strongest → weakest
- 2Systematic reviews & meta-analyses
- 1Randomised controlled trials
- 11Controlled clinical trials
- 7Observational & cohort studies
- 3Case reports & series
Stimulation Method
- 13tcVNS
- 10iVNS
- 1taVNS
Research Momentum
8 of 24 studies (33%) published since 2022.
The studies
24 studies · strongest evidence firstVagus nerve stimulation as a potential treatment for acute asthmatic bronchoconstriction: a systematic review
Di Flumeri et al. · Frontiers in physiology · 2025
systematic reviewstcVNSVagal nerve stimulator-associated sleep disordered breathing secondary to vagal-induced laryngospasm in pediatric populations: Case presentation and systematic review
Sharma et al. · International journal of pediatric otorhinolaryngology · 2023
systematic reviewsiVNSNon-invasive neuromodulation for alleviating dyspnoea: protocol for a feasibility sham-controlled randomised trial
St-Pierre et al. · BMJ open · 2025
RCTstaVNSATP release and metabolism by human and guinea pig airways and P2X receptor-dependent effects on bronchopulmonary vagal afferent nerve subtypes
Canning et al. · British journal of pharmacology · 2026
controlled trialstcVNSPrevalence of Arnold Nerve Reflex in Adults and Children With Chronic Cough
Dicpinigaitis et al. · Chest · 2018
controlled trialstcVNSPopulation of sensory neurons essential for asthmatic hyperreactivity of inflamed airways
Tränkner et al. · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America · 2014
controlled trialstcVNSArnold's nerve cough reflex: evidence for chronic cough as a sensory vagal neuropathy
Ryan et al. · Journal of thoracic disease · 2014
controlled trialstcVNSEncoding of the cough reflex in anesthetized guinea pigs
Canning et al. · American journal of physiology. Regulatory, integrative and comparative physiology · 2011
controlled trialstcVNSNerve growth factor acutely potentiates synaptic transmission in vitro and induces dendritic growth in vivo on adult neurons in airway parasympathetic ganglia
Hazari et al. · American journal of physiology. Lung cellular and molecular physiology · 2007
controlled trialstcVNSNeurophysiology of mast cell-nerve interactions in the airways
Undem et al. · International archives of allergy and immunology · 1995
controlled trialstcVNSEffects of two novel tachykinin antagonists, FK224 and FK888, on neurogenic airway plasma exudation, bronchoconstriction and systemic hypotension in guinea-pigs in vivo
Hirayama et al. · British journal of pharmacology · 1993
controlled trialstcVNSVagal afferent and reflex responses to changes in surface osmolarity in lower airways of dogs
Pisarri et al. · Journal of applied physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985) · 1992
controlled trialstcVNSCyclooxygenase inhibitors increase canine tracheal muscle response to parasympathetic stimuli in situ
Bethel et al. · Journal of applied physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985) · 1990
controlled trialstcVNSPharmacological modulation of bronchial hyperreactivity
Richards · European journal of respiratory diseases. Supplement · 1983
controlled trialstcVNSFast cycle of vagus nerve stimulation is associated with increased sleep-related breathing disorder in patients with epilepsy
Massa et al. · Epilepsia · 2026 · n = 22
observational studiesiVNSThe prevalence of vagus nerve stimulator-induced sleep disordered breathing in children with refractory Epilepsy: A retrospective cohort study
Verma et al. · Sleep medicine · 2025 · n = 27
observational studiesiVNSEffects of Vagus Nerve Stimulation on Sleep-Disordered Breathing, Daytime Sleepiness, and Sleep Quality in Patients With Drug-Resistant Epilepsy
Kim et al. · Journal of clinical neurology (Seoul, Korea) · 2022 · n = 24
observational studiesiVNSComplex sleep-disordered breathing after vagus nerve stimulation: broadening the spectrum of adverse events of special interest
Oliveira Santos et al. · Epileptic disorders : international epilepsy journal with videotape · 2020 · n = 2
observational studiesiVNSImpact of vagus nerve stimulation on sleep-related breathing disorders in adults with epilepsy
Salvade et al. · Epilepsy & behavior : E&B · 2018 · n = 18
observational studiesiVNSRespiratory disturbance during sleep induced by vagus nerve stimulator
Joutsa et al. · Duodecim; laaketieteellinen aikakauskirja · 2015 · n = 2
observational studiesiVNSEffects of vagus nerve stimulation on sleep-related breathing in epilepsy patients
Marzec et al. · Epilepsia · 2003 · n = 16
observational studiesiVNSObstructive Sleep Apnea Associated With Vagus Nerve Stimulation in Children With Drug Resistant Epilepsy: A Retrospective Case Series
Lamagrande-Casanova et al. · Pediatric neurology · 2026 · n = 14
case reportsiVNSTreatment of vagus nerve stimulator-induced sleep-disordered breathing: A case series
Oh et al. · Epilepsy & behavior reports · 2019 · n = 4
case reportsiVNSNon-invasive vagus nerve stimulation for the treatment of acute asthma exacerbations - results from an initial case series
Steyn et al. · International journal of emergency medicine · 2013 · n = 4
case reportstcVNS