Plain-English translation of NCT07022171 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated · Translation generated · How we translate trials
Read our Depressive Disorder research guide →This study doesn't follow the usual testing phases — it may be an observational study or a different type of research.
Researchers are testing transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS)—a non-invasive device that gently stimulates a nerve in your ear—as an add-on treatment for depression. The study will compare the real device to a sham device (one that looks identical but delivers no actual stimulation) to understand whether and how this treatment works. The goal is to identify which patients benefit most and to better understand the biological mechanisms behind this emerging therapy.
Depression is a serious illness affecting millions worldwide, and many people don't respond well to existing treatments like medication alone. While invasive vagus nerve stimulation surgery has shown promise for treatment-resistant depression, it carries surgical risks. This study exists to explore whether a non-invasive ear-based version could offer similar benefits safely, and to unlock the biological mechanisms that make it work.
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If you join this study, you'll receive either the active ear stimulation treatment or a sham treatment (you won't know which) as an add-on to your regular depression care. You'll come to the clinic 3 times per day, Monday through Friday, for 6 weeks. Each session lasts 30–60 minutes depending on how you tolerate the treatment. Researchers will collect blood samples and other biological information to understand how your body responds and who benefits most from this approach.
AI-generated summary from trial data · Jun 2, 2026 · Not medical advice
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