Transcutaneous Auricular Vagal Nerve Stimulation Against Fatigue Syndrome in Patients with Long COVID: Results of the Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Pilot Trial COVIVA
Gierthmuehlen M, Schmieder K, Thon N, Gierthmuehlen PC
Neurology and Therapy · 2026
Key finding
In 45 patients randomized to sham, sub-threshold or above-threshold taVNS for 4 weeks, taVNS was safe and well-tolerated but showed no superiority over sham stimulation for long COVID fatigue.
- Condition
- Long COVID
- Stimulation
- taVNS
- Evidence tier
- Randomised Controlled Trial
- Participants
- 45
Cite this study
Gierthmuehlen, M., Schmieder, K., Thon, N., & Gierthmuehlen, P. C. (2026). Transcutaneous Auricular Vagal Nerve Stimulation Against Fatigue Syndrome in Patients with Long COVID: Results of the Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Pilot Trial COVIVA. Neurology and Therapy, 15(3), 1327-1343. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40120-026-00928-w
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Summary by Vagus Research. Always consult the primary source for the authoritative record.