Ear nerve stimulation with tirzepatide for weight loss in people with obesity
Tests ear nerve stimulation added to tirzepatide in adults with obesity and weak weight loss.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Poor Weight-Loss Response to Incretin Receptor Agonists
Key facts
- Where
- Nanjing, ChinaSee the site
Could this be for you?
Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.
- Are you between 18 and 50 years old?
Source: NCT07619989, who can take part
Where in China
- Department of Endocrinology, the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical SchoolNanjing, ChinaTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- The Affiliated Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School
- Trial code
- NCT07619989
- Record updated
- 31 July 2026
- Original description
This is a single-center, randomized, participant-blinded, sham-controlled trial designed to evaluate the adjunctive effect of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) in overweight or obese patients who show a suboptimal weight-loss response to incretin receptor agonist therapy. A total of 24 participants will be randomly assigned to receive either taVNS plus tirzepatide 5 mg or sham stimulation plus tirzepatide 5 mg for 12 weeks. The primary objective is to compare the percent change in body weight from baseline to week 12 between the two groups.Read full original descriptionShow less
Adjunctive Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation in Overweight or Obese Patients With a Suboptimal Weight-Loss Response to Incretin Receptor Agonists: A Single-Center, Randomized, Sham-Controlled Study
This is a single-center, randomized, participant-blinded, sham-controlled trial designed to evaluate the adjunctive effect of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) in overweight or obese patients who show a suboptimal weight-loss response to incretin receptor agonist therapy. A total of 24 participants will be randomly assigned to receive either taVNS plus tirzepatide 5 mg or sham stimulation plus tirzepatide 5 mg for 12 weeks. The primary objective is to compare the percent change in body weight from baseline to week 12 between the two groups.
Inclusion: Individuals with obesity, or overweight accompanied by at least one weight-related comorbidity (e.g., hypertension or fatty liver disease), who have been receiving tirzepatide therapy for at least 12 weeks and have achieved ≤10% weight loss during treatment; Willingness to provide written informed consent.
Exclusion: Use within the past 3 months of medications, other than incretin receptor agonists, that may significantly affect body weight, including glucocorticoids and antipsychotic agents; Presence of diseases that may substantially affect body weight homeostasis, including Cushing's syndrome, uncontrolled thyroid disease (thyroid-stimulating hormone >6.0 mIU/L or <0.4 mIU/L), malignancy, or similar conditions; Skin infection or damage involving the auricular area; Diagnosis of diabetes mellitus; Inability to complete the 12-week intervention period for practical reasons, such as frequent business travel or planned travel; Women planning pregnancy in the near future; Contraindications to MRI, such as metallic prostheses or claustrophobia.