The EMPOWER study: randomized, prospective, double-blind, multicenter trial of vagal blockade to induce weight loss in morbid obesity
Sarr MG, Billington CJ, Brancatisano R, Brancatisano A, Toouli J, Kow L, Nguyen NT, Blackstone R, Maher JW, Shikora S, et al.
Obesity Surgery · 2012
Key finding
In 294 implanted morbidly obese patients, vagal blockade produced 17% excess weight loss at 12 months but did not significantly exceed the control group, which experienced an unexpectedly large response from low-level device current.
Auto-extracted · verification pendingHow we verify
- Condition
- Obesity
- Stimulation
- iVNS
- Evidence tier
- Randomised Controlled Trial
- Participants
- 294
Share this study
Download the citation card as a PNG, or copy a link to this page.
Cite this study
Sarr, M. G., Billington, C. J., Brancatisano, R., Brancatisano, A., Toouli, J., Kow, L., Nguyen, N. T., Blackstone, R., Maher, J. W., Shikora, S., Reeds, D. N., Eagon, J. C., Wolfe, B. M., O’Rourke, R. W., Fujioka, K., Takata, M., Swain, J. M., Morton, J. M., Ikramuddin, S., … Rosenthal, R. (2012). The EMPOWER study: randomized, prospective, double-blind, multicenter trial of vagal blockade to induce weight loss in morbid obesity. Obesity Surgery, 22(11), 1771-1782. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-012-0751-8
Related studies in Obesity
Effect of vagus nerve stimulation on metabolism: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Shen et al. · International journal of obesity (2005) · 2025 · Systematic Review / Meta-Analysis
Effects 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 · Systematic Review / Meta-Analysis
Vagal Nerve Therapy in the Management of Obesity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Fadel et al. · European Surgical Research · 2023 · Systematic Review / Meta-Analysis
Effect of Vagal Nerve Blockade on Moderate Obesity with an Obesity-Related Comorbid Condition: the ReCharge Study
Morton et al. · Obesity Surgery · 2016 · Randomised Controlled Trial
Summary by Vagus Research. Always consult the primary source for the authoritative record.