Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Postpartum Contraction Pain During Elective Cesarean Delivery: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Primary resultResult — go to the resultRelative risk 0.18 95% CI 0.07–0.50Authors' conclusion
In this randomized clinical trial, taVNS significantly reduced uterine contraction pain, incisional pain, depression, and anxiety, and improved recovery quality and sleep quality compared with sham taVNS.
Study context
- Population
- Women aged ≥18 years receiving CSE anaesthesia for elective cesarean delivery, Xuzhou, China
- Participants
- 156 women
- Comparison
- Active transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) vs sham taVNS
- Active taVNSn = 78
- Sham taVNSn = 78reference
- Primary endpoint
- Incidence of moderate to severe postpartum uterine contraction pain (VAS ≥4)
- Follow-up
- Third postoperative day
Methodological detailssham-controlled, single-centre, Conducted April 6 to August 31, 2024
- Sham-controlled
- Single-centre
- Conducted April 6 to August 31, 2024
Primary result
As reported in the abstract
Relative risk
0.18
95% CI 0.07–0.50
P < 0.001
Events by treatment group
Active taVNS vs Sham taVNS
RR 0.18 (95% CI 0.07–0.50); P < 0.001
Secondary outcomes
Median
| Outcome | Active taVNS | Sham taVNS |
|---|---|---|
| Incisional pain (VAS) · third postoperative day | 2.20 (IQR 2.00–2.50) | 3.00 (IQR 2.60–3.33) |
| Depression (EPDS) · third postoperative day | 3.00 (IQR 2.00–4.00) | 5.00 (IQR 3.00–6.00) |
| Anxiety (PRAQ-R2) · third postoperative day | 13.50 (IQR 12.00–15.00) | 15.00 (IQR 13.75–17.00) |
| Recovery quality (ObsQoR-11) · third postoperative daySignificantly higher with active taVNS | 104 (IQR 103–105) | 99 (IQR 96–101) |
| Sleep quality (LSEQ) · second postoperative daySignificantly higher with active taVNS | 52.00 (IQR 50.00–55.00) | 47.50 (IQR 43.00–52.00) |
Original publication
Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Postpartum Contraction Pain During Elective Cesarean Delivery: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open. Published 1 August 2025. doi:10.
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