Arrhythmias & electrophysiology
Non-Invasive Stimulation of the Median Nerve: Neuromodulation to Reduce Atrial Arrhythmias in Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation (The Randomized BEAT-AF Pilot Study)
Authors' conclusion
In patients with paroxysmal AF, non-invasive median nerve stimulation reduced PAC burden and improved symptomatology; there was a numerical but non-significant reduction in AF burden. This pilot study sets the stage for future pivotal trials of MNS in AF patients.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation with an atrial fibrillation (AF) burden of 0.5–25% on ambulatory 14-day ECG monitoring
- Participants
- 31 patients
- Comparison
- Median nerve stimulation (MNS) versus Sham
- MNSn = 15
- Shamn = 16
Methodological detailswearable home-care neuromodulation device
- Wearable home-care neuromodulation device
Primary result
As reported in the abstract
PAC burden, immediate pre-/post-treatment ECG recordings
MNS
35% reduction
Sham
7% increase
Further findings
| Outcome | MNS | Sham |
|---|---|---|
| PAC burden, baseline to 12-week 14-day ECGs | reduced by 26.5% | +3.94% |
| Within-group p | p=0.046 | p=0.94 |
| Adjusted median AF burden · 12 weeksNumerical reduction | reduced by 63% | 4.1% |
| Symptomatology by EHRA classification | reduction in score 0.45 | reduction in score 0.02 |
- Symptomatology by EHRA classification — shift from EHRA Class III to I with MNS (vs Sham)
- 26.3%
- Premature atrial contraction (PAC) burden, baseline to 12-week 14-day ECGs: between group p=0.46
- Adjusted median AF burden: p=0.42
- Symptomatology by EHRA classification: p=0.017
- Symptomatology by EHRA classification: shift p=0.048
Original publication
Non-Invasive Stimulation of the Median Nerve: Neuromodulation to Reduce Atrial Arrhythmias in Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation (The Randomized BEAT-AF Pilot Study). Heart Rhythm. Published 22 October 2026. doi:10.
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it