Ear Nerve Stimulation May Lower Blood Pressure in Severe Hypertension Cases

A small device that delivers gentle electrical pulses through the ear could provide a new, non‑invasive approach to treating stubborn high blood pressure. In a clinical trial led by researchers at Queen Mary University of London, the technology proved safe, well tolerated, and practical for patients to use at home. The SCRATCH‑HTN trial, published in Hypertension, a journal of the American Heart Association, found no overall blood‑pressure benefit versus a sham device across all participants, but researchers observed a notable reduction in patients with more severe hypertension.

How Ear Nerve Stimulation Could Lower Blood Pressure

The experimental treatment uses transcutaneous autonomic neuromodulation (tAN), a technique that aims to influence the autonomic nervous system—a network that automatically controls essential functions such as heart rate, digestion, and blood pressure. By delivering mild electrical signals to nerves in the ear, investigators hope to affect the body’s natural blood‑pressure regulation mechanisms without requiring an invasive procedure.

The handheld device, developed by Afferent Medical Solutions, employs two small clips positioned on the tragus, the small flap of cartilage just in front of the ear canal. These clips provide gentle electrical stimulation, allowing patients to self‑administer the treatment at home.

Clinical Trial Tests the Device in 63 Patients

The study, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), enrolled 63 individuals with uncontrolled hypertension who were already taking at least one blood‑pressure‑lowering medication but still had readings above recommended levels. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either active nerve stimulation or a sham device for comparison.

Each day for the first two weeks, participants used their assigned devices for 30 minutes, then reduced to once weekly for the following 10 weeks. The treatment was generally comfortable, and most participants adhered to the schedule, indicating the technology could be practical for regular home use.

Overall, however, the trial did not detect a statistically significant difference in blood‑pressure change between the active and sham groups.

Promising Results in Patients With Severe Hypertension

Despite the lack of a broad effect, a prespecified subgroup analysis revealed a greater blood‑pressure reduction among participants who entered the trial with more severe hypertension when they received active nerve stimulation compared with the sham treatment. This finding suggests the technique may be more effective for patients with particularly difficult‑to‑control blood pressure, though the results need confirmation in larger studies.

Dr. Ajay Gupta, Chief Investigator, Clinical Reader at Queen Mary University of London and Consultant Physician at Barts Health NHS Trust, commented:

“This is an exciting, highly patient‑acceptable technology that could ultimately provide a cheap, scalable solution for millions. Although the trial did not achieve significance across the broad unselected group, those with more severe hypertension exhibited a clear blood‑pressure reduction in the active group compared to sham. As the first and most thorough study of its kind, this points towards important new research directions that could help us understand whether non‑invasive neuromodulation can benefit particular groups of patients with uncontrolled hypertension.”

A Potential New Option for Hard‑to‑Control Blood Pressure

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a major contributor to cardiovascular disease and raises the risk of heart attacks and strokes by placing extra strain on blood vessels and the heart. While medications help many patients manage their condition, a substantial number remain above recommended targets despite treatment.

This ongoing challenge has driven scientists to explore additional approaches that could complement existing therapies. Ear nerve stimulation, delivered by a small, non‑surgical device usable at home, represents one such possibility. If future research confirms reliable blood‑pressure reduction in specific patient groups, it could become a convenient new option for those with difficult‑to‑control hypertension. For now, the findings mark an early step rather than definitive proof of efficacy, and larger clinical trials will be essential to validate the promising results in severe cases and identify the patients most likely to benefit.

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