🧠 Nerve stimulation through the ear: a new technique for treating high blood pressure
A recent study indicates that nerve stimulation through the ear using a small device may represent a future option for treating severe high blood pressure that is resistant to medications. The new technique offers a non-surgical treatment possibility, and it can be easily used at home by patients.
❤️ How does ear nerve stimulation work in lowering blood pressure?
The treatment relies on a technique known as transcutaneous autonomic neuromodulation (tAN), which targets the autonomic nervous system responsible for regulating vital functions including heart rate, digestion, and blood pressure.
The device stimulates the ear nerves through gentle electrical pulses delivered via small clips placed on the ear cartilage known as the “tragus,” located in front of the ear canal. This stimulation is believed to affect the body’s blood pressure regulation mechanisms without the need for surgical procedures.
Clinical trial on 63 patients
A new clinical trial was conducted in which 63 patients suffering from high blood pressure that did not respond adequately to medications participated, as they were taking drug treatment but their readings remained high.
The participants were randomly divided into two groups: the first used the active nerve-stimulation device, and the second used a sham device that did not emit real electrical pulses, to ensure an accurate scientific comparison.
The training was for 30 minutes daily in the first two weeks, then the sessions decreased to once a week for ten subsequent weeks.
Safety, comfort, and home-use results
- The trial proved that the treatment was safe and comfortable for most participants.
- Adherence to the device-use schedule was high, making the technique practical for home use.
- Nevertheless, no statistically significant difference in blood pressure reduction appeared between device users and the sham model across all patients.
Noticeable improvement among patients with severe high blood pressure
It is noteworthy that the previous subgroup analysis of the research revealed a greater reduction in blood pressure among patients suffering from severe high blood pressure when they used the active device compared with the sham group.
This suggests that ear-based nerve stimulation may be more beneficial for people who suffer from severe high blood pressure that is difficult to control. However, the size of the trial was limited, and broader studies are needed to confirm these results.
Use that offers a new option for treating resistant high blood pressure
High blood pressure (hypertension) is known to be a major factor in cardiovascular disease and increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes. It also causes additional strain on the heart and blood vessels, which may lead to lasting damage in the long term.
While medications control the condition in the majority of patients, a large proportion still experiences persistent blood pressure elevations, prompting scientists to search for additional treatment methods that help control the disease.
The ear-based nerve-stimulation technique is distinguished by being non-invasive, easy to use, and usable at home without the need for repeated hospital visits, which may make it a suitable option in the future once its effectiveness is confirmed.
🧪 Next steps and future research
This study is considered an important first step in exploring the role of non-invasive neuromodulation in treating difficult cases of high blood pressure. The researchers stress the need for larger and more comprehensive clinical trials to determine the groups that may benefit most from this treatment.
The lead researcher pointed to the possibility that ear nerve stimulation could be an economical solution and scalable to millions of patients if its effectiveness is proven in future studies.
Thus, this scientific innovation remains new in research and requires more evidence before being considered a routine treatment in the fight against high blood pressure.
Source: The Conversation
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