An interventional study of Active TENS and Sham TENS in Vagus Nerve Stimulation and Obesity, sponsored by National Medical Research Center for Therapy and Preventive Medicine. Active, not recruiting at 1 site in Russia. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 75 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2025-09-03.
Sponsored by National Medical Research Center for Therapy and Preventive Medicine · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (TENS) involves stimulation of the left and/or right auricular branch of the vagus nerve with low-frequency electrical impulses. In recent years, the possibilities of using this technology in chronic conditions characterized by immune and metabolic dysregulation have been studied. The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of TENS in reducing weight and improving quality of life in patients with various degrees of obesity.
Obesity is one of the leading causes of disability and death worldwide. In 2016, more than 1.9 billion adults were overweight, according to the World Health Organization. According to current projections, by 2030, 60% of the world's population (that is, 3.3 billion people) may be overweight (2.2 billion) or obese (1.1 billion), if trends in obesity continue.
In 2021, the journal Nature Communications published data on the effectiveness of the use of an invasive device that stimulates the efferent fibers of the vagus nerve of the stomach with light fluxes and thereby reduces the severity of hunger. In addition, in small clinical trials in patients with depression and epilepsy treated with transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation, this procedure has been shown to lead to significant weight loss.
Although the mechanisms are not fully understood, it is believed that a high-calorie diet contributes to the desensitization of the vagus afferent fibers to peripheral signals and leads to a decrease in the constitutive expression of orexigenic receptors and neuropeptides. Violation of signal transmission along the afferent fibers of the vagus nerve may be sufficient for the development of hyperphagia and obesity, and stimulation of the vagus nerve, respectively, can be used in the treatment of these conditions. Recent discoveries revealed a new and important role of the vagus nerve within a physiological mechanism that utilizes afferent and efferent signaling in controlling cytokine levels and inflammation - the inflammatory reflex.
Afferent vagus nerve projections to the GI tract and the hepatic portal system play a major role in communicating alterations in peripheral metabolic homeostasis, including changes in cholecystokinin, lipids, leptin, insulin and glucose levels to the brain. In a reflex manner, efferent vagus nerve innervations of the heart, liver and pancreas provide cardio-metabolic regulatory output. Cholecystokinin- and leptin-induced afferent vagus nerve activity importantly mediates satiety and regulates feeding behavior. Cholecystokinin, released as a result of intestinal lipid accumulation also causes activation of afferent signaling and subsequent efferent vagus nerve output to liver that suppresses hepatic gluconeogenesis.
Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (TENS) involves the stimulation of the left and/or right auricular branch of the vagus nerve in the area of the cymba concha with low-frequency electrical impulses. The auricular branch of the vagus nerve runs superficially, which makes it a favorable target for non-invasive stimulation techniques to modulate vagal activity. It gained popularity due to minimal side effects and low cost.
In recent years, the use of this technology in the treatment of various disorders, including headache, tinnitus, prosocial behavior, atrial fibrillation, associative memory, schizophrenia, traumatic pain, and Crohn's disease, has been explored - chronic conditions characterized by immune and metabolic dysregulation. For this reason, there have been many early-stage clinical trials on a diverse range of conditions. These trials often report conflicting results for the same indication.
In this study, the investigators want to explore: will low-frequency transcutaneous electrical stimulation of the auricular branch of the vagus nerve contribute to weight loss in patients and improve their quality of life?
6,296 studies on the registry are indexed under Obesity; 1,692 are open to participants now.
This study's enrollment of 131 is above the median of 78 across 4,878 interventional studies indexed under Obesity.
Browse Obesity studies →National Medical Research Center for Therapy and Preventive Medicine is the lead sponsor of 28 studies on the registry; 10 are open to participants now.
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Adult patients with grade 1-2 nutritional obesity who are willing and able to give informed written consent to participate in the study, are on sinus rhythm and are not taking any antiarrhythmic drugs, including beta-blockers.
Exclusion Criteria:
Active will be performed with using a TENS device with an ear clip attached to the tragus of the right ear (which is innervated by auricular branch of the vagus nerve) at 25 Hz, 200ms at a current just below discomfort threshold.
Device: Active TENS
Sham TENS will be performed to the ear lobe, which is devoid of vagal innervation.
Device: Sham TENS
Active TENS stimulation will occur daily for 10 minutes, 3-4 times a day, 30 minutes before the main meals. The duration will be 6 months for each patient.
Sham TENS stimulation will occur daily for 10 minutes, 3-4 times a day, 30 minutes before the main meals. The duration will be 6 months for each patient.
Percentage of body fat
It is calculated using the body composition analyzer "In Body 910" in dynamics (at the start and at the end of the trial).
Time frame: 6-month follow-up
Body Mass Index
BMI will be determined by the equation (kg/m2) in dynamics (at the start and at the end of the trial).
Time frame: 6-month follow-up
Waist circumference
Waist circumference will be measured on bare skin midway between the lowest rib and the superior border of the iliac crest using an inelastic measuring tape to the nearest 0.1 cm following the World Health Organization guideline. Measurement will be performed at the start and at the end of the trial.
Time frame: 6-month follow-up
Total Weight Loss
The difference in weight in kilograms compared to the baseline value after 6 months observation within the trial.
Time frame: 6-month follow-up
Percentage of Total Weight Loss
The ratio of the difference between the weight at the start of the trial and at the end of the trial in relation to the total body weight.
Time frame: 6-month follow-up
Eating behavior questionnaire
The investigators will analyse changes in eating behavior using the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) and the 24-hour replay method.
Time frame: 6-month follow-up
Hip circumference
Hip circumference will be taken on bare skin around the widest portion of the buttocks using an inelastic measuring tape to the nearest 0.1 cm and the tape should be placed parallel to the floor.
Time frame: 6-month follow-up
Waist circumference/Hip circumference
The ratio of the two values (Waist Circumference/Hip circumference) will be performed at the start and at the end of the trial.
Time frame: 6-month follow-up
Lean Mass
Lean mass will be simultaneously determined during the bioimpedance "In Body 910" scan for total body fat mass. Measurement will be performed at the start and at the end of the trial.
Time frame: 6-month follow-up
Health-related Quality of Life
The validated short form survey measures health-related quality of life covering physical functioning, emotional and mental health, bodily pain, general health, vitality, and social functioning. A higher overall score indicates better quality of life.
Time frame: 6-month follow-up
Adherence
Adherence will be verified by evaluating the completeness of the patient's diary.
Time frame: 6-month follow-up
Adverse Events
Adverse events will be closely monitored regularly by research personnel, and by subjects' voluntary reports.
Time frame: 6-month follow-up
This study is active, not recruiting, as verified in Aug 2025. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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National Medical Research Center for Therapy and Preventive Medicine