Ear-Based Treatment Shows Knee Pain Relief
A recent study suggests that treating knee pain might involve an unexpected path—through the ear. Researchers found that stimulating the vagus nerve, which runs through the ear, helped relieve knee pain in some patients. The findings, published in Osteoarthritis and Cartilage Open, point to a new approach that could influence how knee osteoarthritis is managed in the future.
The vagus nerve is part of the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps regulate rest and digestion, in contrast to the sympathetic system that drives stress responses. According to lead researcher Kosaku Aoyagi of the University of Texas at El Paso, people with osteoarthritis-related knee pain often exhibit a disruption in this balance. By stimulating the vagus nerve, researchers hoped to restore equilibrium and reduce discomfort.
In a small trial involving 30 participants with knee pain, researchers used a device that delivers electrical pulses to the vagus nerve through the ear. This device, which is already FDA-approved for conditions like epilepsy and depression, was applied for an hour. After treatment, 11 participants reported noticeable pain relief, suggesting the technique could be promising for broader use.
The early results are encouraging enough to warrant a larger study. A future trial will compare patients receiving actual vagus nerve stimulation with those undergoing a placebo treatment to further evaluate its effectiveness. Researchers hope these follow-up studies will confirm the benefits observed in this initial experiment.
Experts unaffiliated with the study, such as Stacy Wagovich of the University of Texas at El Paso, praised the research as a novel approach to managing knee osteoarthritis. If confirmed through further testing, this technique could expand treatment options for people suffering from chronic joint pain.
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