1. A pilot study found that transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) showed preliminary evidence of being effective in reducing knee pain in patients with osteoarthritis.
2. Results indicated a reduction in knee pain and an increase in heart rate variability following tVNS.
3. tVNS may activate the vagus nerve and influence mechanisms related to stress and inflammation.
4. Larger trials are needed to confirm the preliminary findings.
5. The stimulation device was applied to the cymba concha of the ear and delivered pulses in 30-second on/off cycles during the session.

Source: Ostheoarthritis and Cartilage Open