Study summary

Mild ear nerve stimulation reduced redness and flushing

Ear nerve stimulation trial · 72 people, randomized and sham-controlled · Published December 2025, JAMA Dermatology

72people in the trial

What was tested

Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation, a gentle electrical current through a clip on the ear, against sham stimulation for rosacea with redness and visible blood vessels.

What they found

Redness and flushing improved more than with sham stimulation.
Anxiety and depression scores also improved.
Side effects were uncommon: 5.6% vs 8.3% with sham.

What it means

An early, drug-free option for redness, which has few treatments. Needs larger trials.

JAMA Dermatol, via PubMed ↗ ← Back to the outlook

Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.