CompletedNot Applicable

Effects of Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation on Appetite

South Korea60 participantsStarted 2026-01-12

Plain-language summary

This study tests a new way to help control appetite. Researchers will use a wearable device on the ear. This device sends gentle electrical pulses to a nerve. This is called vagus nerve stimulation. The main goals of this study are: * To see if this device helps people eat less. * To check if it lowers feelings of hunger. * To measure how it changes responses to food cues. Healthy adult women will join this study. Each person will have two study visits. At one visit, the device will be turned on. At the other visit, the device will be off. This is a fake or "sham" treatment. During each visit, researchers will: * Give a standard meal for 30 minutes. * Measure how much food each person eats. * Ask questions about hunger and fullness. * Use computer tasks to check food cravings. This study may find a safe, medicine-free way to manage eating habits.

Who can participate

Age range

20 Years – 50 Years

Sex

FEMALE

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Female participants aged between 20 and 50 years * Body Mass Index (BMI) of 20 or higher * Individuals who are capable of understanding the study procedures and providing voluntary informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Presence of implanted metallic or electronic medical devices (e.g., cardiac pacemaker, implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), cardiac stent, deep brain stimulator, or cochlear implant), except for dental implants and artificial joints * History of diagnosed psychiatric disorders or current use of psychiatric medications * Moderate to severe depression symptoms, defined as a Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) score of 10 or higher * Use of medications or medical interventions that may induce weight changes within the past 3 months * Active inflammatory or infectious lesions on the ear (e.g., otitis externa, auricular dermatitis, or active skin infection) * Specific dietary habits or restrictions, such as being a vegan or vegetarian * Known food allergies * Currently pregnant or breastfeeding * History of diagnosed diabetes or other endocrine metabolic diseases * Any other medical condition, illness, or history that, in the investigator's judgment, would make it difficult for the participant to complete the study or complicate the interpretation of study results

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Difference in Food Intake

Timeframe: During the 30-minute ad libitum meal session in each experimental visit

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07444177

SponsorSeoul National University Hospital

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2026-02-12

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Appetite Regulation trials