Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42461296›Full record

ArticleEuropean archives of psychiatry and clinical neuroscience2026

Efficacy and EEG-ECG mechanisms of taVNS combined with TEAS for negative symptoms of schizophrenia: a protocol for a 2 × 2 factorial randomized controlled trial.

Shumin Zhang, Yi Gong, Bingkui Zhang, Yapeng Cui, Yuanzheng Deng, Qifu Li, Wenjun Li, Vanhao Lo, Jun Qian, Fanrong Liang and 2 more

Abstract readClinical Trial Protocol
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in European archives of psychiatry and clinical neuroscience, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

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.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

12 authors.

Shumin Zhang *The Second Clinical Medical College, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, China.
Yi Gong *Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital of Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, China.
Bingkui Zhang *Kunming Psychiatric Hospital, Kunming, China.
Yapeng CuiEngineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xian, China.
Yuanzheng DengThe Second Clinical Medical College, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, China.
Qifu LiCollege of Acupuncture and Tuina, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.
Wenjun LiThe Second Clinical Medical College, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, China.
Vanhao LoThe Second Clinical Medical College, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, China.
Jun QianDepartment of Psychiatry, Anning First People's Hospital, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China.
Fanrong LiangCollege of Acupuncture and Tuina, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.
Taipin GuoThe Second Clinical Medical College, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, China. gtphncs@126.com.
Jinbo SunWearable BCI and Intelligent Rehabilitation Innovation Lab, Guangzhou Institute of Technology, Xidian University, Xian, China. sunjb@xidian.edu.cn.

Funding

'Liang Fanrong Expert Workstation' of Yunnan Province-Yunnan Science and Technology Programme 202305AF150072Xidian University Specially Funded Project for Interdisciplinary Exploration TZJH2024014Yunnan Province Traditional Chinese Medicine Joint Special General Project 202301AZ070001-179
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Negative symptoms of schizophrenia (NSS) represent a core feature of the disorder associated with substantial disease burden and poor functional prognosis, yet current therapeutic options remain limited. Given this unmet clinical need, we will explore the therapeutic potential of a combined non-pharmacological intervention using transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) and transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS). In this single-blind, prospective, randomized controlled trial utilizing a 2 × 2 factorial design, 120 NSS participants will be randomly assigned in a 1:1:1:1 ratio to four groups: taVNS plus TEAS, taVNS plus sham TEAS, sham taVNS plus TEAS, and sham taVNS plus sham TEAS. Participants will receive 30-minute treatment sessions every other day for 4 weeks, with a subsequent 4-week follow-up period. The primary outcome is the reduction in the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale-Factor Score for Negative Symptoms (PANSS-FSNS) at the end of the intervention at week 4 relative to baseline. This study aims to evaluate the individual and combined efficacy and safety of taVNS and TEAS in the treatment of NSS. Additionally, dual-modal synchronous electroencephalography (EEG) and electrocardiography (ECG) recordings will be used to investigate the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying the interventions and potential electrophysiological changes associated with the therapeutic effects. Trial registration: International Traditional Medicine Clinical Trial Registry (ITMCTR2025000634); registered on April 2, 2025.

Indexed as

Acupuncture PointsOutcome Assessment, Health CareSchizophreniaTranscutaneous Electric Nerve StimulationVagus Nerve StimulationAdultCombined Modality TherapyElectrocardiographyElectroencephalographyFemaleHumansMaleProspective StudiesRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicSingle-Blind MethodYoung AdultFactorial designNegative symptomsSchizophreniaTranscutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulationTranscutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation

Identifiers

PMID42461296

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.