Healthy AdultNCT07798349
The Effect and Mechanism of taVNS in Modulating Human Social Attention
A study testing taVNS in people with Healthy Adult and Role of Vagal Stimulation in Oxytocin Release, run by University of Electronic Science and Technology of China at 1 site in China.
Trial summary
The objectives of this study are to investigate: 1. whether non-invasive transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) can enhance human interest in social stimuli in free-viewing and stressful tasks; 2. whether its effect on brain function occurs via modulating endogenous oxytocin release; 3. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 30 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Healthy Adult, Role of Vagal Stimulation in Oxytocin Release, Role of Vagal Stimulation in Social Attention
- What is being tested?
- taVNS
- Type of treatment
- Medical device
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 120 participants
- Where
- 1 siteChina
- Study dates
- 1 Aug 2026to 30 Nov 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 30 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Healthy adults
Who cannot join
- History of past or current neurological/psychiatric disorders;
- Use of psychotropic medications (including nicotine and alcohol)
- Visual impairments
- Baseline data exceeds ±3 SD from mean
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
China1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
School of Life science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China
Chengdu, Sichuan, 610081
Yan Zhang, 18215678419, 532769737@qq.com
About this study
The objectives of this study are to investigate:
- whether non-invasive transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) can enhance human interest in social stimuli in free-viewing and stressful tasks;
- whether its effect on brain function occurs via modulating endogenous oxytocin release;
- how the stimulation site and various parameters of taVNS should be set to effectively promote the above-mentioned changes in brain function.
Read more
The main questions it aims to answer are:
- Does taVNS facilitate a preference for social relative to non-social stimuli in both free-viewing and stressful tasks?
- Does taVNS increase peripheral concentrations of the neuropeptide oxytocin, and whether these changes are associated with enhanced social attention?
- Does taVNS stimulation of the right tragus, left tragus, or bilateral tragus sites produce the strongest effects on oxytocin release and social attention?
Investigators will compare the effects of taVNS targeting the left tragus, right tragus, or bilateral tragus with ear-lobe sham stimulation (no vagal activation). Eye-tracking will be used across multiple experimental paradigns. For measurements of oxytocin (OT) and arginine vasopressin (AVP), saliva samples will be collected at baseline, immediately after taVNS, 20 min post-stimulation, and 30 min post-stimulation. Investigators will test whether (a) taVNS facilitates social attention, and (b) its effects are associated with elevated OT and AVP release.
Investigators hypothesize that taVNS will enhance social attention and oxytocin release, that changes in social attention will be associated with the magnitude of oxytocin release, and that bilateral tragus stimulation will produce the strongest effects on both social attention and oxytocin release.
Read the detailed description
In a placebo-controlled, single-blind, mixed-design experiment, investigators plan to determine whether taVNS modulates human social attention and whether such effects depend on oxytocin (OT) modulation.
Participants will first complete free-viewing and stressful tasks to establish baseline social attention. Consistent with prior studies, participants whose baseline data exceed ±3 SD will be excluded from the study. One week later, eligible participants will complete the Chinese-language versions of several questionnaires prior to intervention: the Behavioral Activation System Scale (BAS), Behavioral Inhibition System Scale (BIS), Trait Anxiety Inventory, State Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ), Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), and Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI).
Next, the first saliva sample (T1: 1-2 mL, passive drool) will be collected, followed by 30-min non-invasive taVNS (left, right, or bilateral tragus) or sham (earlobe) intervention. A second saliva sample (T2) will be obtained immediately post-stimulation. Behavioral assessments - including free-viewing paradigms of social and non-social stimuli and a stressful antisaccade paradigm - will begin after T2 collection. Social-attention metrics (response time, errors, fixation duration, fixation counts, etc.) will be recorded using eye-tracking equipment.
Upon completion of the eye-tracking tasks, the third saliva sample (T3: ~20 min post-stimulation) will be collected. Participants will then repeat the State Anxiety and PANAS (mood) questionnaires to evaluate intervention-related changes in anxiety and mood. A fourth saliva sample (T4: ~30 min post-stimulation) will subsequently be obtained.
A mixed-linear model or mixed-model ANOVA, followed by appropriate post-hoc analyses, will be applied to eye-tracking behavioural data and questionnaires scores to evaluate intervention effects.
Investigators hypothesize that taVNS will increase social attention and oxytocin release, that social attention changes will be associated with the magnitude of oxytocin release and that bilateral tragus stimulation will be the most effective
- Conditions
- Healthy Adult, Role of Vagal Stimulation in Oxytocin Release, Role of Vagal Stimulation in Social Attention
- Being tested
- taVNS
- Keywords
- taVNS, social attention
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
taVNSDevice
bilateral Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation on earlobe
taVNSDevice
Also called Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation
Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation on left tragus
taVNSDevice
taVNS only on the right tragus
taVNSDevice
taVNS on the bilateral tragus
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Experimental: earlobe stimulation | Placebo comparator | Subjects will receive bilateral ear lobe stimulation as a control for taVNS Receives: Device: taVNS |
| left tragus stimulation | Experimental | Subjects will receive the taVNS only on the left tragus Receives: Device: taVNS |
| right tragus stimulation | Experimental | Subjects will receive the right tragus stimuliation Receives: Device: taVNS |
| bilateral tragus stimulation | Experimental | Subjects will receive bilateral tragus stimulation Receives: Device: taVNS |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Fixation time on different areas of interest (AOIs) in free viewing tasks
The total time spent viewing specific AOIs in free viewing tasks will be recorded
Measured: baseline: one week before the stimulation; post: immediately after the 30 min sham (earlobe) or taVNS (transaural vagal stimulation) stimulation.
Fixation counts on different AOIs in free viewing tasks
The number of fixations on specific AOIs during presentation of visual stimuli will be recorded
Measured: baseline: one week before the stimulation; post: immediately after the 30 min of sham or taVNS stimulation
Errors made in the stressful antisaccade task
The number of errors in the direction opposite to the required direction
Measured: baseline: one week before the stimulation; post: immediately after the 30 min of sham or taVNS stimulation
Response time in the stressful antisaccade task
Time taken to make the first saccade towards the required direction
Measured: baseline: one week before the stimulation; post: immediately after the 30 min sham or taVNS stimulation
Secondary outcomes (4)
Saliva oxytocin concentrations
Four saliva samples will be collected at different time points during the experiment and oxytocin concentrations measured by assay
Measured: T1: baseline; T2: immediately after the 30 min sham or taVNS stimulation; T3: 20 mins after the stimulation; T4: 30 mins after the stimulation.
Saliva vasopressin concentrations
Four saliva samples will be collected at different time points during the experiment and vasopressin concentrations measured by assay
Measured: T1: baseline; T2: immediately after the 30 min sham or taVNS stimulation; T3: 20 mins after the stimulation; T4: 30 mins after the stimulation.
State anxiety scores
Subjects will complete the State Anxiety Questionnaire before and after stimulation
Measured: baseline: before the stimulation post: immediately after the 30 min sham or taVNS stimulation
Positive and negative affective schedule (PANAS) scores
Subjects will complete the PANAS questionnaire before and after stimulation
Measured: baseline: before the stimulation; post: immediately after the 30 min sham or taVNS stimulation.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted1 Sep 2026
- Study start1 Aug 2026
- Primary completion30 Nov 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion30 Nov 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Healthy AdultStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Parallel group design with a subsequent crossover phase for all participants
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 120 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Electronic Science and Technology of China
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07798349
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 35045
- Status last verified
- Aug 2026
- First submitted
- 23 Aug 2026
- Last updated
- 1 Sep 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 1 Sep 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effect and Mechanism of taVNS in Modulating Human Social Attention
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07798349
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 35045
- Conditions
- Healthy Adult, Role of Vagal Stimulation in Oxytocin Release, Role of Vagal Stimulation in Social Attention
- Keywords
- taVNS, social attention
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 120 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- University of Electronic Science and Technology of ChinaUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Aug 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 30 Nov 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 30 Nov 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 1 Sep 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The objectives of this study are to investigate:
- whether non-invasive transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) can enhance human interest in social stimuli in free-viewing and stressful tasks;
- whether its effect on brain function occurs via modulating endogenous oxytocin release;
- how the stimulation site and various parameters of taVNS should be set to effectively promote the above-mentioned changes in brain function.
The main questions it aims to answer are:
- Does taVNS facilitate a preference for social relative to non-social stimuli in both free-viewing and stressful tasks?
- Does taVNS increase peripheral concentrations of the neuropeptide oxytocin, and whether these changes are associated with enhanced social attention?
- Does taVNS stimulation of the right tragus, left tragus, or bilateral tragus sites produce the strongest effects on oxytocin release and social attention?
Investigators will compare the effects of taVNS targeting the left tragus, right tragus, or bilateral tragus with ear-lobe sham stimulation (no vagal activation). Eye-tracking will be used across multiple experimental paradigns. For measurements of oxytocin (OT) and arginine vasopressin (AVP), saliva samples will be collected at baseline, immediately after taVNS, 20 min post-stimulation, and 30 min post-stimulation. Investigators will test whether (a) taVNS facilitates social attention, and (b) its effects are associated with elevated OT and AVP release.
Investigators hypothesize that taVNS will enhance social attention and oxytocin release, that changes in social attention will be associated with the magnitude of oxytocin release, and that bilateral tragus stimulation will produce the strongest effects on both social attention and oxytocin release.
Detailed description
In a placebo-controlled, single-blind, mixed-design experiment, investigators plan to determine whether taVNS modulates human social attention and whether such effects depend on oxytocin (OT) modulation.
Participants will first complete free-viewing and stressful tasks to establish baseline social attention. Consistent with prior studies, participants whose baseline data exceed ±3 SD will be excluded from the study. One week later, eligible participants will complete the Chinese-language versions of several questionnaires prior to intervention: the Behavioral Activation System Scale (BAS), Behavioral Inhibition System Scale (BIS), Trait Anxiety Inventory, State Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ), Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), and Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI).
Next, the first saliva sample (T1: 1-2 mL, passive drool) will be collected, followed by 30-min non-invasive taVNS (left, right, or bilateral tragus) or sham (earlobe) intervention. A second saliva sample (T2) will be obtained immediately post-stimulation. Behavioral assessments - including free-viewing paradigms of social and non-social stimuli and a stressful antisaccade paradigm - will begin after T2 collection. Social-attention metrics (response time, errors, fixation duration, fixation counts, etc.) will be recorded using eye-tracking equipment.
Upon completion of the eye-tracking tasks, the third saliva sample (T3: ~20 min post-stimulation) will be collected. Participants will then repeat the State Anxiety and PANAS (mood) questionnaires to evaluate intervention-related changes in anxiety and mood. A fourth saliva sample (T4: ~30 min post-stimulation) will subsequently be obtained.
A mixed-linear model or mixed-model ANOVA, followed by appropriate post-hoc analyses, will be applied to eye-tracking behavioural data and questionnaires scores to evaluate intervention effects.
Investigators hypothesize that taVNS will increase social attention and oxytocin release, that social attention changes will be associated with the magnitude of oxytocin release and that bilateral tragus stimulation will be the most effective
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 4
- Model description
- Parallel group design with a subsequent crossover phase for all participants
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Experimental: earlobe stimulation | Placebo comparator | Device: taVNSSubjects will receive bilateral ear lobe stimulation as a control for taVNS |
| left tragus stimulation | Experimental | Device: taVNSSubjects will receive the taVNS only on the left tragus |
| right tragus stimulation | Experimental | Device: taVNSSubjects will receive the right tragus stimuliation |
| bilateral tragus stimulation | Experimental | Device: taVNSSubjects will receive bilateral tragus stimulation |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 30 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Healthy adults
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- History of past or current neurological/psychiatric disorders;
- Use of psychotropic medications (including nicotine and alcohol)
- Visual impairments
- Baseline data exceeds ±3 SD from mean
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| taVNSbilateral Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation on earlobe | Device | Experimental: earlobe stimulation |
| taVNSAlso: Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve StimulationTranscutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation on left tragus | Device | left tragus stimulation |
| taVNStaVNS only on the right tragus | Device | right tragus stimulation |
| taVNStaVNS on the bilateral tragus | Device | bilateral tragus stimulation |
Primary outcome
Fixation time on different areas of interest (AOIs) in free viewing tasks
Time frame: baseline: one week before the stimulation; post: immediately after the 30 min sham (earlobe) or taVNS (transaural vagal stimulation) stimulation.
The total time spent viewing specific AOIs in free viewing tasks will be recorded
Fixation counts on different AOIs in free viewing tasks
Time frame: baseline: one week before the stimulation; post: immediately after the 30 min of sham or taVNS stimulation
The number of fixations on specific AOIs during presentation of visual stimuli will be recorded
Errors made in the stressful antisaccade task
Time frame: baseline: one week before the stimulation; post: immediately after the 30 min of sham or taVNS stimulation
The number of errors in the direction opposite to the required direction
Response time in the stressful antisaccade task
Time frame: baseline: one week before the stimulation; post: immediately after the 30 min sham or taVNS stimulation
Time taken to make the first saccade towards the required direction
4 secondary outcomes
Saliva oxytocin concentrations
Time frame: T1: baseline; T2: immediately after the 30 min sham or taVNS stimulation; T3: 20 mins after the stimulation; T4: 30 mins after the stimulation.
Saliva vasopressin concentrations
Time frame: T1: baseline; T2: immediately after the 30 min sham or taVNS stimulation; T3: 20 mins after the stimulation; T4: 30 mins after the stimulation.
State anxiety scores
Time frame: baseline: before the stimulation post: immediately after the 30 min sham or taVNS stimulation
Positive and negative affective schedule (PANAS) scores
Time frame: baseline: before the stimulation; post: immediately after the 30 min sham or taVNS stimulation.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 1 Sep 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
Related trials for Healthy Adult
Not yet recruitingPhase 1
A Phase I Study of GLR2053 Tablets in Chinese Healthy Adult Participants
Atopic Dermatitis
RecruitingPhase 1
First-in-Human Trial to Assess REGN20423 in Healthy Adult Participants and Adult Participants With Atopic Dermatitis
Healthy Volunteer, Atopic Dermatitis
Not yet recruitingPhase 1/2
Clinical Trial to Assess the Safety, Tolerability, Reactogenicity, and Immunogenicity of a 10 Valent Human Papillomavirus Virus (10vHPV) Vaccine
Human Papillomavirus Infection
Not yet recruiting
REM Enhancement Sleep Technology for Well-being, Emotion, and Life Lift
Healthy Adult Participants
Not yet recruitingPhase 1
Safety and Immunogenicity of Chimeric Hemagglutinin mRNA Vaccine Candidates
Influenza
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing taVNS in people with Healthy Adult and Role of Vagal Stimulation in Oxytocin Release, run by University of Electronic Science and Technology of China at 1 site in China.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 4 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 1 Sep 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in China. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Keith M Kendrick PhD (86-28-61830811, k.kendrick.uestc@gmail.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Fixation time on different areas of interest (AOIs) in free viewing tasks (time frame: baseline: one week before the stimulation; post: immediately after the 30 min sham (earlobe) or taVNS (transaural vagal stimulation) stimulation.). The study lists 4 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 1 Sep 2026.