Ear-clip device shows promise for treating resistant high blood pressure
A small ear-clip that delivers gentle electrical pulses was safe and well tolerated in a trial of 63 patients, but only lowered blood pressure significantly in those with severe hypertension.
A clinical study involving 63 participants with uncontrolled hypertension evaluated a portable ear-clip that emits low-level electrical signals to the tragus. Participants, already on antihypertensive drugs, used the device daily for two weeks and then weekly for ten weeks. Safety and tolerability were high, and adherence was strong, indicating feasibility for home use.
While the full cohort showed no statistically significant advantage over a sham device, a pre-planned analysis of patients with the highest baseline blood pressure revealed a meaningful drop with active stimulation. Lead investigator Ajay Gupta described the approach as a potentially cheap, scalable option for a subset of patients, but emphasized that larger trials are required to verify efficacy and identify who may benefit most.
Why it matters
If confirmed, non-invasive ear stimulation could add a low-cost tool for patients whose hypertension resists medication.
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