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Background <p>Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is a neuromodulatory intervention with antiinflammatory and autonomic regulatory properties. Although its clinical applications have primarily been explored in neurological disorders, its potential role in pulmonary and respiratory outcomes across preclinical and clinical settings remains incompletely characterized and dispersed across different study domains. This scoping review aimed to map the available evidence on the effects of VNS on the pulmonary and respiratory systems, with particular emphasis on inflammatory and autonomic mechanisms.</p> Methods <p>This scoping review was conducted in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines. Three reviewers systematically searched PubMed, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library for studies published between January 2020 and February 2026. Original preclinical and clinical studies investigating invasive or noninvasive VNS and reporting pulmonary, respiratory physiology, autonomic, or inflammatory outcomes were included.</p> Results <p>A total of 159 records were identified, of which 12 studies met the inclusion criteria. The evidence base was predominantly preclinical. In animal studies, invasive cervical VNS was frequently associated with reductions in pulmonary inflammation, histopathological lung injury, and proinflammatory cytokine expression. Clinical studies were limited and heterogeneous, but generally indicated variable modulation of autonomic function, including changes in parasympathetic activity, as well as heterogeneous effects on systemic inflammatory markers and limited respiratory outcomes.</p> Conclusions <p>Current evidence suggests that VNS may modulate pulmonary inflammatory responses in preclinical models. However, clinical evidence remains limited and heterogeneous, particularly regarding autonomic and respiratory outcomes. Well-designed clinical trials using standardized stimulation protocols and predefined respiratory end points are needed to clarify its therapeutic potential in respiratory disorders.</p>

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Vagus nerve stimulation and pulmonary outcomes: a scoping review of preclinical and clinical evidence

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月1日

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  • Miray Başer,
  • Betül Taşpınar,
  • Ferruh Taşpınar

摘要

Background

Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is a neuromodulatory intervention with antiinflammatory and autonomic regulatory properties. Although its clinical applications have primarily been explored in neurological disorders, its potential role in pulmonary and respiratory outcomes across preclinical and clinical settings remains incompletely characterized and dispersed across different study domains. This scoping review aimed to map the available evidence on the effects of VNS on the pulmonary and respiratory systems, with particular emphasis on inflammatory and autonomic mechanisms.

Methods

This scoping review was conducted in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines. Three reviewers systematically searched PubMed, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library for studies published between January 2020 and February 2026. Original preclinical and clinical studies investigating invasive or noninvasive VNS and reporting pulmonary, respiratory physiology, autonomic, or inflammatory outcomes were included.

Results

A total of 159 records were identified, of which 12 studies met the inclusion criteria. The evidence base was predominantly preclinical. In animal studies, invasive cervical VNS was frequently associated with reductions in pulmonary inflammation, histopathological lung injury, and proinflammatory cytokine expression. Clinical studies were limited and heterogeneous, but generally indicated variable modulation of autonomic function, including changes in parasympathetic activity, as well as heterogeneous effects on systemic inflammatory markers and limited respiratory outcomes.

Conclusions

Current evidence suggests that VNS may modulate pulmonary inflammatory responses in preclinical models. However, clinical evidence remains limited and heterogeneous, particularly regarding autonomic and respiratory outcomes. Well-designed clinical trials using standardized stimulation protocols and predefined respiratory end points are needed to clarify its therapeutic potential in respiratory disorders.