Condition · Evidence Hub
Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Respiratory
Does vagus nerve stimulation help with respiratory? 16 human studies have investigated VNS for respiratory, including 2 systematic reviews, 7 controlled trials, and 3 observational studies, published between 1983 and 2026, with 4 published since 2022. Studies use transcutaneous cervical (tcVNS) and implanted (iVNS) 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 · 7 controlled trials · 3 observational studies · 1 narrative review · 3 case reports
Evidence by Tier
strongest → weakest
- 2Systematic reviews & meta-analyses
- 7Controlled clinical trials
- 3Observational & cohort studies
- 1Narrative & scoping reviews
- 3Case reports & series
Stimulation Method
- 11tcVNS
- 5iVNS
Research Momentum
4 of 16 studies (25%) published since 2022.
The studies
16 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 reviewsiVNSATP 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 trialstcVNSEncoding of the cough reflex in anesthetized guinea pigs
Canning et al. · American journal of physiology. Regulatory, integrative and comparative physiology · 2011
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 trialstcVNSCyclooxygenase inhibitors increase canine tracheal muscle response to parasympathetic stimuli in situ
Bethel et al. · Journal of applied physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985) · 1990
controlled trialstcVNSEffects 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 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 studiesiVNSEffects of vagus nerve stimulation on sleep-related breathing in epilepsy patients
Marzec et al. · Epilepsia · 2003 · n = 16
observational studiesiVNSTreatment of vagus nerve stimulator-induced sleep-disordered breathing: A case series
Oh et al. · Epilepsy & behavior reports · 2019 · n = 4
case reportsiVNSArnold's nerve cough reflex: evidence for chronic cough as a sensory vagal neuropathy
Ryan et al. · Journal of thoracic disease · 2014
case reportstcVNSNon-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 reportstcVNSPharmacological modulation of bronchial hyperreactivity
Richards · European journal of respiratory diseases. Supplement · 1983
narrative reviewstcVNS
Registered trials — results pending
1 registered protocol with no published results yet. Listed for context; not counted in the evidence total.
Non-invasive neuromodulation for alleviating dyspnoea: protocol for a feasibility sham-controlled randomised trial
St-Pierre et al. · 2025 · protocol