Vagus nerve stimulation for treating fibromyalgia

Comparative Study Between the Outcome of Noninvasive Vagus Nerve Stimulation and Medical Treatment in Fibromyalgia Patients

Not applicable Interventional Kasr El Aini Hospital · NCT06237595

This study tests if a new treatment using vagus nerve stimulation can help women with fibromyalgia feel better compared to standard medical care.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment90 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 55 Years
SexFemale
SponsorKasr El Aini Hospital Academic / other
Locations1 site (Cairo)
Trial IDNCT06237595 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study evaluates the effects of transcutaneous cervical vagus nerve stimulation (t-VNS) on female patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Ninety participants will be divided into three groups: one receiving only t-VNS, another receiving t-VNS along with standard medical treatment, and a control group receiving only medical treatment. The t-VNS sessions will be conducted three times a week for a total of 12 sessions, aiming to assess improvements in symptoms compared to conventional therapies.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are female patients over 18 years old with a clinical diagnosis of fibromyalgia according to the 2016 ACR criteria.

Not a fit: Patients with significant comorbid medical or psychiatric conditions, or those who are pregnant or postmenopausal, may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could provide a novel treatment option for fibromyalgia patients, potentially reducing symptoms and improving quality of life.

How similar studies have performed: While vagus nerve stimulation has shown promise in other conditions, this specific application in fibromyalgia is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Female patients above 18 years, with a clinical diagnosis of fibromyalgia according to 2016 ACR fibromyalgia diagnostic criteria, will be included in this study.

Exclusion Criteria:

* - Pregnant, and postmenopausal women.
* Patients with any medical disorder including: cardiovascular, pulmonary, renal, hepatic, endocrine, blood, gastrointestinal, diabetes, neuropathic disorders, psychiatric disorders (for example; post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), mania, psychosis, suicidality, bipolar/schizophrenia/autism spectrum disorders) and/or neurodegenerative disorders (e.g., Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, Huntington's disease).
* Cancer diagnosis within the preceding 5 years.
* Planned surgery.
* Use of other medical devices electrically active for example a cardiac pacemaker, or TENS for chronic pain.
* Electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormalities.
* History of Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
* Symptomatic orthostatic hypotension, or history of recurrent vagal syncope.
* History of vagotomy.
* Uncontrolled hypertension or hypotension.
* Documented sleep apnea.
* Other rheumatic diseases like (Rheumatoid Arthritis, Systemic lupus erythematosus, Seronegative spondyloarthropathies).

Where this trial is running

Cairo

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Fibromyalgiavagus nerve stimulation
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 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.