Effect of Transcutaneous Auricular Vagal Nerve Stimulation on Functional Dyspepsia

Effect of Transcutaneous Auricular Vagal Nerve Stimulation on Functional Dyspepsia: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Patients with dyspeptic symptoms vary from 10% to 20% globally. Up to 70% of patients with dyspepsia who undergo endoscopy have unremarkable examination and are diagnosed with functional dyspepsia (FD). Given the lack of information related to its pathophysiology, the treatment is largely empirical and of limited efficacy. Previous small study showed therapeutic potential of transcutaneous auricular vagal nerve stimulation (taVNS) for FD. This study aims to investigate whether taVNS can improve the dyspeptic symptoms of patients with FD.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. 18-65 years old
2. Patients who met the Rome IV diagnostic criteria of FD
3. Moderate to severe FD (functional dyspepsia symptom diary ≥10)
4. Normal upper endoscopy and abdominal ultrasonography within one year.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Injury or inflammation on the ear

2. Asthma or COPD not under control

3. History of cardiac pacemaker planting or other medical digital devices

4. History of VNS treatment

5. Patients with local or systemic diseases which may cause dyspeptic symptoms:

   Known active peptic ulcer, cholecystitis, gallstone, gastrointestinal obstruction, gastroparesis, and etc.; Known acute or chronic injury of liver or kidney; Obvious hematological abnormality, or endocrine and metabolic diseases; Known malignancy; Obvious cardiovascular or cerebrovascular diseases (such as coronary heart disease, arrhythmia, cerebral infarction and etc.; Other conditions which may be associated with dyspeptic symptoms (such as NSAIDs associated dyspepsia)

6. Patients with serious mental disorders or tendency to suicide

7. Pregnancy or lactic women

8. Inability to give informed consent