Effect of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation in hemodialysis patients: A randomized controlled trial.
Qiuling Zhang, Jun Dou, Hua Ao et al.
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In 30 seconds
This randomized controlled trial evaluated transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) in patients receiving hemodialysis (HD) for at least 6 months. Sixty-three patients were assigned to tVNS during dialysis or standard care for 8 weeks. At 8 weeks, the tVNS group had higher dialysis efficiency (Sp Kt/V 1.31 ± 0.11 vs. 1.25 ± 0.10, p = 0.02) and fewer dialysis-related symptoms (DSI 12.09 ± 5.84 vs. 16.26 ± 5.27, p = 0.004). Pain and fatigue also decreased, while physical function, comfort, and hemoglobin increased; cognitive function, anxiety, and depression did not change significantly.
Key findings
- At 8 weeks, Sp Kt/V was 1.31 ± 0.11 with tVNS versus 1.25 ± 0.10 with standard care (p = 0.02).
- DSI was 12.09 ± 5.84 with tVNS versus 16.26 ± 5.27 with standard care (p = 0.004).
- The tVNS group had reductions in pain and fatigue and increases in physical function, comfort, and hemoglobin.
- Cognitive function, anxiety, and depression showed no statistically significant changes.
Why it matters
Dialysis efficiency and symptom burden are relevant outcomes for people receiving maintenance HD. This trial suggests that stimulation delivered during dialysis may improve both, alongside several physical and comfort measures. The findings provide preliminary clinical evidence for a non-pharmacological complementary approach, while the absence of changes in cognitive and mood outcomes indicates that benefits were not observed across all measured domains.
What to keep in mind
The trial included 63 patients and followed outcomes for 8 weeks, limiting conclusions about longer-term effects.