ArticleBMC pregnancy and childbirth2026
Preventive effect of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation on postpartum depression in cesarean women with antenatal depressive tendency: a randomized controlled trial protocol.
Article in BMC pregnancy and childbirth, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
1 citing paper in PubMed.
- Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation after cesarean delivery: current evidence and trial design priorities.Frontiers in medicine · 2026Review
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5 authors.
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Abstract
backgroundPostpartum depression is one of the most common psychological disorders among women after childbirth, with a global prevalence of approximately 10-20% and an even higher rate of 21.4% reported in China. Women undergoing cesarean section are at increased risk for postpartum depression due to perioperative pain, delayed recovery, maternal-infant separation, and psychological stress. Antenatal depression is also a major risk factor for postpartum depression, highlighting the need for effective preventive interventions in this population. Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS), a noninvasive neuromodulation technique, has demonstrated antidepressant and anxiolytic effects in multiple neuropsychiatric conditions. However, its preventive value in perinatal depression remains unclear.
methodsThis study is a prospective, randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled trial protocol. A total of 254 pregnant women (aged 18-45 years) with an Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) score ≥ 9 before elective cesarean section will be enrolled and randomized 1:1 into the active taVNS group or the sham taVNS group. Participants in the active taVNS group will receive electrical stimulation to the left auricular concha (20 Hz, 200 μs, 30 min per session) before anesthesia, on postoperative day 1, and on postoperative day 2. The sham taVNS group will receive identical electrode placement without electrical output. The primary outcome is the incidence of postpartum depression (EPDS ≥ 9) at 6 weeks postpartum. Secondary outcomes include changes in EPDS and anxiety scores, sleep quality, postoperative pain, and recovery parameters. DISCUSSION: This trial aims to determine whether taVNS is an effective and safe preventive intervention for postpartum depression in cesarean women with antenatal depressive tendency. The findings will provide new evidence supporting the integration of nonpharmacological neuromodulation strategies into perinatal mental health care.
trial registrationThis study was registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR; Registration number: ChiCTR2600119584) on 28 February 2026.
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