Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation (taVNS) in Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

A Randomized, Sham-controlled Pilot Trial of a Novel Therapeutic Strategy (taVNS) for Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) Dysfunction in Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

30 patients will participate in a prospective randomized clinical trial to test the safety, tolerability and efficacy of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) for autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction in the chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 3-5 setting.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Individuals age ≥18 years
• Diagnosis of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) stage 3-5 [estimated glomerular filtration rate ≤60 mL/min/1.73m2]
• Receiving care at NYU Nephrology outpatient practice
• Able to provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Primary ANS disorders (e.g., Parkinson's disease)
• Arrhythmias
• Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) or pacemaker (PPM) precluding assessment of HRV (e.g., chronic atrial fibrillation)
• On maintenance dialysis (HD)
• Epilepsy
• Symptomatic bradycardia
• Presence of an implantable defibrillators
• Presence of a permanent pacemaker
• Unable to consent
• Incarcerated individuals
• Pregnant individuals