Key Takeaway
Auricular vagus nerve stimulation significantly reduces both chronic and acute pain, with moderate-to-large effect sizes across multiple pain conditions.
Summary
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the clinical efficacy of auricular vagus nerve stimulation (aVNS) for treating chronic and acute pain. The authors searched multiple databases and included randomized controlled trials comparing aVNS to sham stimulation.
The meta-analysis found statistically significant reductions in pain scores for both chronic pain conditions (such as migraine, fibromyalgia, and low back pain) and acute pain settings (including postoperative and procedural pain). Effect sizes were moderate to large, suggesting clinically meaningful benefits.
The review highlights aVNS as a promising non-pharmacological pain management approach, with a favorable safety profile and minimal side effects. The authors note that while results are encouraging, heterogeneity across studies and variability in stimulation parameters call for further standardized research to optimize treatment protocols.
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