--- title: "Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation in patients…" description: "Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation improved cognitive function and sleep quality in patients with mild cognitive impairment over 24 weeks." url: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d36150665.md" canonical: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d36150665.html" html: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d36150665.html" type: "study" study_key: "d36150665" journal: "Brain Stimul" year: 2022 pmid: "36150665" doi: "10.1016/j.brs.2022.09.003" citations: 1 updated: 2026-09-02 author: "Gabriel Radu, DO" author_credentials: "Physiatrist (PM&R). NY medical license 275110. NPI 1376861765." publisher: "Magellan Longevity" content_format: "markdown" --- # Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation in patients with mild cognitive impairment: a randomized clinical trial [Home](https://magellanlongevity.com/) › [Research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) › Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation in… **HTML version:** https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d36150665.html · **In the Magellan app:** https://magellanlongevity.com/#/study/d36150665 ## Citation | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Journal | Brain Stimul | | Year | 2022 | | PMID | [36150665](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36150665/) | | DOI | [10.1016/j.brs.2022.09.003](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brs.2022.09.003) | | Study key | d36150665 | ## Takeaway Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation improved cognitive function and sleep quality in patients with mild cognitive impairment over 24 weeks. ## The question Can transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) improve cognitive functions in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI)? ## Hypothesis Transcutaneous electrical stimulation of auricular acupoints in the distribution of the vagus nerve will be effective in improving cognitive functions in patients with MCI. ## Methods This was a randomized controlled trial involving 52 patients with MCI, aged 55-75 years. Patients were randomly assigned to either a taVNS group, where two auricular acupoints (heart and kidney in the concha) within the vagus nerve distribution were stimulated, or a sham taVNS group, where two other auricular acupoints (elbow and shoulder in the scaphoid fossa) outside the vagus nerve distribution were stimulated. The primary outcome was the Montreal Cognitive Assessment-Basic (MoCA-B), and secondary outcomes included various cognitive and sleep measures. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and after 24 weeks of intervention. ## Results After 24 weeks, there was a significant difference in overall MoCA-B scores between the taVNS and sham taVNS groups (p = 0.033). In the taVNS group, compared to baseline, overall MoCA-B scores increased significantly (p < 0.001). Specific sub-indicators of the Auditory Verbal Learning Test-HuaShan version (N5 and N7) and Boston Naming Test (BNT) also significantly increased (all ps < 0.001) in the taVNS group. The Shape Trails Test B (STTB) significantly decreased (p = 0.016), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Behavior Disorder Screening Questionnaire (RBDSQ), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and Functional Activities Questionnaire (FAQ) significantly decreased (p = 0.002, 0.025, <0.001, 0.006 respectively) in the taVNS group. One patient in the taVNS group reported mild, transient adverse reactions. ## Conclusion Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) can improve cognitive performance in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). This method may be recommended as a therapy to prevent or prolong the development of MCI into dementia, though further investigation is needed. ## Limitations The abstract does not explicitly state limitations, but it does mention that further investigation is required, implying a need for more research to fully establish the therapy's efficacy and generalizability. ## Verbatim from the abstract > taVNS can improve cognitive performance in patients with mild cognitive impairment ## Significance of Changes in Outcome Measures in taVNS Group | Measure | P-value | | --- | --- | | MoCA-B (Overall Scores) | 0.001 | | AVLT-H (N5) | 0.001 | | AVLT-H (N7) | 0.001 | | STTB | 0.016 | | BNT | 0.001 | | PSQI | 0.002 | | RBDSQ | 0.025 | | ESS | 0.001 | | FAQ | 0.006 | *P-values for significant changes in various outcome measures within the taVNS group after 24 weeks of intervention, compared to baseline. Lower p-values indicate stronger statistical significance.* ## Where this study is used on Magellan This paper is one of the citations behind the evidence grade on the pages below. Grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of affiliate commissions. | Compound or device | Evidence grade | Graded pages | | --- | --- | --- | | Vagus Nerve Stimulator (tVNS) | — | — | ## Reference 1. **Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation in patients with mild cognitive impairment: a randomized clinical trial** Brain Stimul 2022 · [PMID 36150665](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36150665/) · [DOI 10.1016/j.brs.2022.09.003](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brs.2022.09.003) > taVNS can improve cognitive performance in patients with mild cognitive impairment ## Structured data ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"MedicalWebPage","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d36150665.html#page","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d36150665.html","name":"Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation in patients with mild cognitive impairment: a randomized…","description":"Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation improved cognitive function and sleep quality in patients with mild cognitive impairment over 24 weeks.","inLanguage":"en","isPartOf":{"@type":"WebSite","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Gabriel Radu, DO","jobTitle":"Physiatrist (PM&R)","identifier":[{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NPI","value":"1376861765"},{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NY medical license","value":"275110"}]},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"encoding":{"@type":"MediaObject","encodingFormat":"text/markdown","contentUrl":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d36150665.md"},"dateModified":"2026-09-02"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Research map","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation in…","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d36150665.html"}]},{"@type":"ScholarlyArticle","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d36150665.html#study","name":"Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation in patients with mild cognitive impairment: a randomized clinical trial","headline":"Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation in patients with mild cognitive impairment: a randomized…","datePublished":"2022","isPartOf":{"@type":"Periodical","name":"Brain Stimul"},"identifier":"PMID:36150665","url":"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36150665/","sameAs":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brs.2022.09.003","abstract":"Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation improved cognitive function and sleep quality in patients with mild cognitive impairment over 24 weeks."}]} ``` ## Related on Magellan Longevity - [Evidence: auricular vagus stimulation](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s164.md) - [Longevity research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) - [Evidence-based longevity supplements](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-supplements.md) ## Scope and disclosures Educational information, not medical advice. Nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to your physician before starting any supplement or device, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medication. Editorial firewall: evidence grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of any affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate, Magellan Longevity earns from qualifying purchases. Reviewed for accuracy by a board-certified physician (DO).