Condition · Evidence Hub
Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Safety
Does vagus nerve stimulation help with safety? 28 human studies have investigated VNS for safety, including 13 systematic reviews, 2 controlled trials, and 3 observational studies, published between 1999 and 2026, with 14 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.
13 systematic reviews · 2 controlled trials · 3 observational studies · 5 narrative reviews · 5 case reports
Evidence by Tier
strongest → weakest
- 13Systematic reviews & meta-analyses
- 2Controlled clinical trials
- 3Observational & cohort studies
- 5Narrative & scoping reviews
- 5Case reports & series
Stimulation Method
- 14taVNS
- 13iVNS
- 1tcVNS
Research Momentum
14 of 28 studies (50%) published since 2022 — an actively growing evidence base.
The studies
28 studies · strongest evidence firstThe role of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation in chronic pain: from neurobiological mechanisms to clinical applications
Zhang et al. · Frontiers in pain research (Lausanne, Switzerland) · 2026
systematic reviewstaVNSSystematic review for VNS vs. pharmaceutical modulations for multifaceted neurological disorder management through cross-case, network meta-analysis
Han et al. · Brain stimulation · 2025 · n = 5,773
systematic reviewstaVNSEfficacy of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (t-VNS) in treating drug-resistant epilepsy: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Makkawi et al. · Epilepsy research · 2025 · n = 417
systematic reviewstaVNSOptimizing vagus nerve stimulation for Super Refractory Status Epilepticus: A case series and systematic review
Pichardo-Rojas et al. · Epileptic disorders : international epilepsy journal with videotape · 2025 · n = 33
systematic reviewsiVNSNon-invasive neurostimulation for drug-resistant epilepsy: systematic review and meta-analysis of effectiveness, safety, and optimal stimulation parameters
Premaratne et al. · Journal of neurology · 2025
systematic reviewstcVNSEfficacy and safety of vagus nerve stimulation on upper extremity motor function in patients with stroke: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Wei et al. · NeuroRehabilitation · 2023 · n = 266
systematic reviewstaVNSTranscutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation in Pediatric Patients: A Systematic Review of Clinical Treatment Protocols and Stimulation Parameters
Sigrist et al. · Neuromodulation : journal of the International Neuromodulation Society · 2023
systematic reviewstaVNSSafety of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS): a systematic review and meta-analysis
Kim et al. · Scientific Reports · 2022 · n = 6,322
systematic reviewstaVNSThe Adjunct of Electric Neurostimulation to Rehabilitation Approaches in Upper Limb Stroke Rehabilitation: A Systematic Review With Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Ahmed et al. · Neuromodulation : journal of the International Neuromodulation Society · 2022 · n = 1,261
systematic reviewstaVNSTranscutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation Combined with Rehabilitation Training in the Intervention of Upper Limb Movement Disorders After Stroke: A Systematic Review
Yan et al. · Neuropsychiatric disease and treatment · 2022 · n = 101
systematic reviewstaVNSSafety and tolerability of Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve stimulation in humans; a systematic review
Redgrave et al. · Brain stimulation · 2018 · n = 240
systematic reviewstaVNSTranscutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation in treating major depressive disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Wu et al. · Medicine · 2018 · n = 222
systematic reviewstaVNSNeurostimulation for drug-resistant epilepsy: a systematic review of clinical evidence for efficacy, safety, contraindications and predictors for response
Boon et al. · Current opinion in neurology · 2018
systematic reviewstaVNSParticipant-centered tolerability of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation: insights from two crossover studies
Gonzalez et al. · Bioelectronic Medicine · 2026 · n = 61
controlled trialstaVNSVagus Nerve Stimulation-Induced Pseudo-Pheochromocytoma
Dutordoir et al. · Neuromodulation : journal of the International Neuromodulation Society · 2022
controlled trialstaVNSDepicting and defining sleep disturbed breathing associated with vagal nerve stimulation
Garrett et al. · Sleep Medicine · 2023 · n = 26
observational studiesiVNSComplications and safety of vagus nerve stimulation: 25 years of experience at a single center
Revesz et al. · Journal of Neurosurgery: Pediatrics · 2016 · n = 247
observational studiesiVNSSurgical complications of vagal nerve stimulation for intractable epilepsy: findings from 26 cases
Shimogawa et al. · No Shinkei Geka · 2014 · n = 26
observational studiesiVNSStimulated Vocal Fold Immobility After Vagal Nerve Stimulator Placement: A Case Series
Schuman et al. · Annals of Otology, Rhinology & Laryngology · 2024 · n = 5
case reportsiVNSVagus nerve stimulation for primary headache disorders: An anatomical review to explain a clinical phenomenon
Henssen et al. · Cephalalgia : an international journal of headache · 2019
narrative reviewsiVNSDeep brain and cortical stimulation for epilepsy
Sprengers et al. · The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2017
narrative reviewsiVNSSurgically implanted and non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation: a review of efficacy, safety and tolerability
Ben-Menachem et al. · European Journal of Neurology · 2015
narrative reviewsiVNSOperative and technical complications of vagus nerve stimulator implantation
Spuck et al. · Neurosurgery · 2010 · n = 105
case reportsiVNSLate-onset periodic asystolia during vagus nerve stimulation
Iriarte et al. · Epilepsia · 2009 · n = 1
case reportsiVNS[Other treatments for depressive patients]
Tamaoki et al. · Nihon rinsho. Japanese journal of clinical medicine · 2007
narrative reviewstaVNSLaryngopharyngeal dysfunction from the implant vagal nerve stimulator
Zalvan et al. · The Laryngoscope · 2003 · n = 4
case reportsiVNSVagus nerve stimulation, side effects, and long-term safety
Ben-Menachem et al. · Journal of Clinical Neurophysiology · 2001
narrative reviewsiVNSBradycardia and asystole with the use of vagus nerve stimulation for the treatment of epilepsy: a rare complication of intraoperative device testing
Asconape et al. · Epilepsia · 1999 · n = 1
case reportsiVNS
Registered trials — results pending
2 registered protocols with no published results yet. Listed for context; not counted in the evidence total.
Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation for postoperative pain: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
Lu et al. · 2026 · protocol
Evaluating the efficacy and safety of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation for systemic lupus erythematosus: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
Sun et al. · 2025 · protocol