Transcutaneous auricular nerve stimulation modulates the functional connectivity of the descending pain modulation system and reward network in patients with chronic low back pain.

ABSTRACT: This study aims to examine the modulatory effects of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) on Chronic low back pain (cLBP). 70 cLBP patients were recruited and randomized into taVNS or transcutaneous greater auricular nerve stimulation (tGANS) group. Both interventions were administered by participants themselves after initial training (five times/week for four weeks). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data were collected at baseline and after 4-week interventions. Seed-based static and dynamic functional connectivity (sFC and dFC) were performed to investigate the modulation effects on descending pain modulation system and reward network using the periaqueductal gray (PAG) and ventral tegmental area (VTA) as seeds. 51 patients (taVNS: n ​= ​25; tGANS: n ​= ​26) completed

SUBMITTER: Li T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12491802 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature