Quantifying acute physiological biomarkers of transcutaneous cervical vagal nerve stimulation in the context of psychological stress.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Stress is associated with activation of the sympathetic nervous system, and can lead to lasting alterations in autonomic function and in extreme cases symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) is a potentially useful tool as a modulator of autonomic nervous system function, however currently available implantable devices are limited by cost and inconvenience.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of transcutaneous cervical VNS (tcVNS) on autonomic responses to stress.

Methods

Using a double-blind approach, we investigated the effects of active or sham tcVNS on peripheral cardiovascular and autonomic responses to stress using wearable sensing devices in 24 healthy human participants with a history

SUBMITTER: Gurel NZ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8252146 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jan - Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature