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Auricular Vagal Stimulation for Cardiac Baroreflex Hypersensitivity in Healthy Young Men

Kristen Sparrow • June 08, 2017

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This study looks at TaVNS (Transcutaneous Auricular Vagal Nerve Stimulation) versus sham in healthy males.  This study shows that cardiac baroreceptivity improves with TaVNS, but not with sham.  Also that Heart Rate and LF/HF  decrease with TaVNS but not with sham. Nice!

Brain Stimul. 2017 May 19.

Non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation acutely improves spontaneous cardiac baroreflex sensitivity in healthy young men: A randomized placebo-controlled trial.

Antonino D1, Teixeira AL1, Maia-Lopes PM1, Souza MC1, Sabino-Carvalho JL1, Murray AR2, Deuchars J2, Vianna LC3.

Author information

Abstract

BACKGROUND:Despite positive outcomes of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) via the auricular branch of the vagus nerve (ABVN), the mechanisms underlying these outcomes remain unclear. Additionally, previous studies have not been controlled the possible placebo effects of tVNS.

OBJECTIVE:

To test the hypothesis that tVNS acutely improves spontaneous cardiac baroreflex sensitivity (cBRS) and autonomic modulation, and that these effects are specific to stimulation of ABVN.

METHODS:

Thirteen healthy men (23±1yrs) were randomized across three experimental visits. In active tVNS, electrodes were placed on the tragus of the ear and electrical current was applied by using a Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation device. A time-control visit was performed with the electrodes placed on tragus, but no current was applied (sham-T). Additionally, to avoid a placebo effect, another sham protocol was performed with same electrical current of the active visit, but the electrodes were placed on the ear lobe (an area without cutaneous nerve endings from the vagus – tLS). Beat-to-beat heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) were monitored at rest, during stimulation (active, sham-T and tLS) and recovery. cBRS was measured via sequence technique. Both HR (HRV) and BP variability (BPV) were also measured.

RESULTS:

Arterial BP and BPV were not affected by any active or sham protocols (P > 0.05). Resting HR and LF/HF ratio of HRV decreased (Δ-3.4 ± 1% and Δ-15 ± 12%, P < 0.05, respectively) and cBRS increased (Δ24 ± 8%, P < 0.05) during active tVNS, but were unchanged during both sham protocols.