Effects of Auricular Vagal Neuromodulation Therapy (AVNT) on Blood Pressure in Young Adults with Grade 1 Hypertension

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of AVNT on systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP) in young adults with Grade 1 hypertension. A single-centre, randomised clinical trial was conducted with participants receiving AVNT at the tragus (intervention group, IG) or the earlobe (control group, CG) over three months. AVNT significantly reduced SBP by 9.7% (from 142.62 ± 8.18 mmHg to 128.81 ± 7.13 mmHg, p < 0.003) and DBP by 10.2% (from 89.86 ± 5.78 mmHg to 80.71 ± 5.96 mmHg, p < 0.001) in the IG compared to the CG, while no significant changes in heart rate or adverse events were observed.

Background and aims

Hypertension is a prevalent condition, increasingly affecting younger populations. Despite its rising incidence, management options for young adults with hypertension remain limited. Autonomic dysfunction, characterised by heightened sympathetic tone and reduced parasympathetic activity, contributes to the pathophysiology of hypertension. Traditional pharmacological interventions are often met with hesitancy in this demographic due to concerns about long-term side effects and social implications. Nurosym’s AVNT is vagal neuromodulation, and has previously shown potential in modulating autonomic balance. This study aimed to evaluate the antihypertensive efficacy and safety of AVNT in young adults with Grade 1 hypertension.

Methods

This single-centre, prospective, randomised clinical trial enrolled 40 young adults (mean age 29.7 ± 6.4 years; 63% male) diagnosed with Grade 1 hypertension (SBP 140–159 mmHg, DBP 90–99 mmHg). Participants were randomised to receive LL-TS at the tragus (IG) or earlobe (CG) for 1 hour/day, 5 days/week, over three months. The Nurosym Device delivered stimulation at 1 mA, set below the discomfort threshold. SBP, DBP, and heart rate (HR) were measured at baseline and monthly intervals. Lifestyle interventions, including dietary guidance and physical activity recommendations, were standardised across groups. Data were analysed using two-tailed t-tests and ANOVA for repeated measures, with Bonferroni correction for post hoc comparisons.

Results

AVNT demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) in young adults with Grade 1 hypertension over three months.

SBP: IG decreased by 9.7% (from 142.62 ± 8.18 mmHg to 128.81 ± 7.13 mmHg, p < 0.003).

DBP: IG decreased by 10.2% (from 89.86 ± 5.78 mmHg to 80.71 ± 5.96 mmHg, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that Nursym’s AVNT significantly reduces SBP and DBP in young adults with Grade 1 hypertension, offering a safe and non-invasive alternative to traditional pharmacological approaches. By improving autonomic regulation and reducing sympathetic activity, AVNT addresses key challenges in hypertension management, such as treatment adherence and early intervention. Additionally, AVNT was well-tolerated, with only minor adverse effects reported in 0.01% of participants, primarily mild irritation at the stimulation site. No severe adverse events were recorded.