Ear nerve stimulation shows promise for severe high blood pressure

Researchers at Queen Mary University of London tested a small device that delivers gentle electrical pulses through the ear to treat stubborn high blood pressure, Science Daily Exercise reported. The clinical trial evaluated 63 human patients who were already taking medication for the condition. Participants used the device at home, and the treatment proved safe and well tolerated. [1]

The trial found that the ear stimulation device did not significantly outperform a placebo across the entire group of participants, Science Daily Exercise reported. However, patients who suffered from more severe hypertension showed promising reductions in their blood pressure readings during the study. [1]

The treatment targets nerve pathways connected to the ear to influence cardiovascular control. As FTMQ Health reported earlier, previous research demonstrated that stimulating the vagus nerve after practice improved long-term motor learning and altered brain blood flow in laboratory mice. [1][2]