Ear Device Shows Promise for Severe Hypertension — SkimNews
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- Queen Mary University of London led the SCRATCH-HTN trial involving 63 patients with uncontrolled hypertension, testing a non-invasive ear nerve stimulation device developed by Afferent Medical Solutions.
- Afferent Medical Solutions provided the handheld device that delivers transcutaneous autonomic neuromodulation (tAN) via clips on the tragus, allowing at-home use for 30 minutes daily then weekly over 12 weeks.
- SCRATCH-HTN trial results showed the treatment was safe, well tolerated, and feasible for home use, but did not significantly lower blood pressure across the full group compared to sham stimulation.
- Prespecified subgroup analysis revealed that patients with more severe hypertension experienced greater blood pressure reduction with active stimulation versus placebo, a finding researchers call promising but preliminary.
- Dr. Ajay Gupta stated the technology is highly patient-acceptable and could become a cheap, scalable solution if larger trials confirm benefits for specific hypertension subgroups.
Why it matters: For millions with treatment-resistant hypertension, this non-invasive device could offer a new option if future studies confirm efficacy—especially since the subgroup with severe high blood pressure showed a clear response, making targeted therapy a plausible next step.
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