Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a progressive condition characterized by impaired cardiac output and autonomic imbalance, marked by excessive sympathetic activity and reduced parasympathetic tone. Non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation (nVNS) has recently emerged as a promising neuromodulatory intervention aimed at restoring autonomic equilibrium and improving cardiac function. This study investigates the effects of nVNS on key cardiac parameters in patients diagnosed with moderate to severe CHF.

A total of 60 participants with clinically stable CHF (NYHA Class II–III) were enrolled in a randomized, controlled, double-blind trial. Participants were assigned to either an intervention group receiving daily transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) or a sham-stimulation control group for a period of 12 weeks. Cardiac parameters, including heart rate variability (HRV), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and plasma levels of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), were measured at baseline and after the intervention.

Results demonstrated significant improvements in HRV indices, with increased high-frequency power and decreased low-to-high frequency ratio in the nVNS group compared to controls (p < 0.05), indicating enhanced parasympathetic activity. Additionally, LVEF improved by an average of 6.3% in the nVNS group, alongside a marked reduction in BNP concentrations, suggesting improved cardiac efficiency and reduced ventricular strain. No severe adverse effects were reported, and treatment adherence exceeded 90%.