Exploring the effects of vagal stimulation and therapy on gut-brain interactions in functional dyspepsia
Official title: Synergistic gut-brain axis modulation via vagal stimulation and cognitive behavioral therapy in functional dyspepsia
Funded at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital · NIH-11095974 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at whether using a device that stimulates the vagus nerve along with talking therapy can help people with functional dyspepsia feel better and improve their quality of life.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlestown, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $724,884 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK136243-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11095974 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults over 21 years old who experience symptoms of functional dyspepsia and have not found relief from standard treatments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with functional dyspepsia who have already responded well to existing pharmacological treatments may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how combining vagal nerve stimulation with cognitive behavioral therapy can improve symptoms of functional dyspepsia, a condition causing recurrent stomach discomfort without a clear cause. The study aims to understand the interaction between these two treatment modalities, targeting both the gut and brain to enhance patient outcomes. By employing a randomized approach, the research will assess the effectiveness of this multimodal strategy in alleviating symptoms and improving quality of life for patients suffering from this condition.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new, effective treatment option for patients with functional dyspepsia who have not responded to traditional therapies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using combined therapeutic approaches for gut-brain disorders, indicating potential for success in this novel integration.
Where this research is happening
-
Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital
Charlestown, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sclocco, Roberta — Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital
- Study coordinator: Sclocco, Roberta
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Vagus nerve stimulation plus cognitive behavioral therapy to ease functional dyspepsia symptoms
This project combines gentle vagus nerve stimulation with cognitive behavioral therapy to help adults with functional dyspepsia reduce stomach pain, fullness, and related anxiety.
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How different body areas affect the brain-gut connection in people with indigestion
This research explores how stimulating specific body points might improve digestion and brain-gut communication for people experiencing chronic indigestion.
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Understanding eating problems in adults with functional dyspepsia
This study is looking at the eating challenges faced by adults with functional dyspepsia to understand what makes it hard for them to eat and to test a new program that could help them enjoy a wider variety of foods again.
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Investigating how different acupuncture points affect the gut-brain connection in functional dyspepsia.
This study is looking at how acupuncture might help people with functional dyspepsia by seeing how it affects the brain and stomach, using special imaging techniques to track any changes during treatment.
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Investigating a new treatment for functional dyspepsia
This study is looking at how a new medication called tradipitant can help people with functional dyspepsia, which causes ongoing stomach pain and discomfort, by checking how well it works and how safe it is compared to other treatments.
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Evaluating the effectiveness of Danning Tablets for digestive symptoms
This study is testing if Danning Tablets can help people aged 18 to 75 feel better from digestive issues like indigestion and bloating while they are already using the medication.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.