Neuromodulation · Aug 20, 2026

Acute Effect of Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation at Two Different Sites on Blood Pressure and Cardiac Autonomic Modulation in Hypertensive Individuals: A Randomized, Crossover, Double-Blind Clinical Trial

By Leite Souza PH, Ritti-Dias RM, Venâncio BP et al.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare the acute effects of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) on blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) variability (HRV) in hypertensive individuals at two auricular sites. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty-four hypertensive adults underwent three taVNS sessions applied to the tragus, cymba conchae, and earlobe (control), with one-week intervals between sessions. Systolic BP (SBP), diastolic BP (DBP), HR, peripheral oxygen saturation, autonomic function, and HRV were assessed before, during, and after stimulation. HRV analysis included time-domain, frequency-domain, and nonlinear indices. RESULTS: Participants exhibited baseline sympathetic predominance and reduced HRV. Stimulation at the cymba conchae produced greater reductions in SBP and DBP than at the other sites (p < 0.05), without significantly affecting HRV parameters. CONCLUSIONS: A single taVNS session did not produce clinically meaningful changes in autonomic function. However, stimulation at the cymba conchae showed greater potential for BP reduction. Further studies using longer and more robust protocols are warranted.

doi.org/10.1016/j.neurom.2026.08.003PubMed 42886085Interventions