A small device that sends gentle electrical pulses to a nerve in the neck for five days may change certain immune system chemicals in people with a type of arthritis called ankylosing spondylitis, but it didn’t seem to make their pain or swelling better.

39

Pro

0

Against

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

39

Community contributions welcome

39

Vagal Nerve Stimulation-Modulation of the Anti-Inflammatory Response and Clinical Outcome in Psoriatic Arthritis or Ankylosing Spondylitis

Randomized Controlled Trial

Human

2021

The study found that a gentle electric stimulation on the neck for 5 days lowered certain inflammation markers in the blood of people with ankylosing spondylitis, just like the claim says—without making their symptoms better or worse.

Contradicting (0)

0

Community contributions welcome

No contradicting evidence found

Gold Standard Evidence Needed

According to GRADE and EBM methodology, here is what ideal scientific evidence would look like to definitively prove or disprove this specific claim, ordered from strongest to weakest evidence.

Source Study

Vagal Nerve Stimulation-Modulation of the Anti-Inflammatory Response and Clinical Outcome in Psoriatic Arthritis or Ankylosing Spondylitis

Score: 39

DOI: 10.1155/2021/9933532

Similar Assertions

A non-invasive device that stimulates a nerve in the neck for five days was linked to a noticeable drop in heart rate in people with two types of inflammatory arthritis, which might mean the body’s natural calming system was activated.

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73%

A non-invasive device that stimulates a nerve in the neck made heart rate control improve in people with one type of arthritis but worsen in people with another type, after just five days of use.

39

0

70%