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October 1, 2025Diabetes Metabolic Syndrome and ObesityOpen Access

Investigating the Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis Mechanisms of Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation in Patients with Obesity: A Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

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Key result

Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation trial evaluates weight loss and gut-brain modulation in obesity.

  • n=74

Why the study?

The microbiota-gut-brain axis plays a key role in obesity pathogenesis, but the efficacy and mechanisms of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation for weight reduction remain to be evaluated.

Population

74 patients with obesity

Comparison

taVNS vs sham taVNS

Design

Single-center randomized controlled trial protocol

Follow-up

12 weeks

Authors

XCXia ChenWKWeiqing KongYSYang Song

Discussion

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Overview

Study Design

Type

RCT (n=74)

Blinding

Double-blind

Randomization

1:1

Multicenter

No

PICO

P
Population
Obesity (n=74)
I
Intervention / Comparator
Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) vs Sham taVNS (20 Hz, 0.2 ms pulse width, 1-2.5 mA, 30 minutes daily, 6 times per week)
O
Primary Outcome
Percentage change in body weight from baseline to Week 12

Limitations

  • Single-center study conducted in China, which may limit the generalizability of the findings to broader populations
  • Relatively short follow-up period limits the ability to assess the long-term effects of taVNS

Cite This Study

Chen et al. (2025) conducted an RCT in Obesity (n=74). Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) vs. Sham taVNS was evaluated on Percentage change in body weight from baseline to Week 12. Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation will be evaluated for its efficacy in reducing body weight and modulating the microbiota-gut-brain axis in a 12-week randomized controlled trial of 74 patients with obesity.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a1dd65eef3fa0b4c0ef7363https://doi.org/10.2147/dmso.s558226
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