A new study led by University College London and Queen Mary University of London has found that stimulating the vagus nerve—using a small device clipped to the ear for just 30 minutes a day over a week—boosted oxygen uptake, heart rate, and exercise tolerance in healthy participants. The study, published in the European Heart Journal, showed a 4% increase in oxygen uptake and improved markers such as breathing and maximum heart rate during exercise. Blood tests also indicated reduced inflammation after stimulation. Researchers believe this promising, non-invasive technique could one day help people who struggle to stay active due to conditions like heart failure, by making exercise more manageable and reducing inflammation. Larger trials are underway to test its benefits for patients with cardiovascular diseases.
Read more from the British Heart Foundation and see the study details.
