| Title | Effects of short and prolonged transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation on heart rate variability in healthy subjects. | ||
| Author | De Couck, M; Cserjesi, R; Caers, R; Zijlstra, W P; Widjaja, D; Wolf, N; Luminet, O; Ellrich, J; Gidron, Y | ||
| Journal | Auton Neurosci | Publication Year/Month | 2017-Mar |
| PMID | 28017263 | PMCID | -N/A- |
| Affiliation + expend | 1.Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Mental Health and Wellbeing Research Group, Brussels, Belgium; Odisee University College, Department of Health, Aalst, Belgium. Electronic address: marijke.de.couck@vub.ac.be. | ||
The vagus nerve is strategically located in the body, and has multiple homeostatic and health-promoting effects. Low vagal activity predicts onset and progression of diseases. These are the reasons to activate this nerve. This study examined the effects of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (t-VNS) on a main index of vagal activity, namely heart rate variability (HRV). In Study 1, we compared short (10min) left versus right ear t-VNS versus sham (no stimulation) in a within-subjects experimental design. Results revealed significant increases in only one HRV parameter (standard deviation of the RR intervals (SDNN)) following right-ear t-VNS. Study 2 examined the prolonged effects of t-VNS (1h) in the right ear. Compared to baseline, right-t-VNS significantly increased the LF and LF/HF components of HRV, and SDNN in women, but not in men. These results show limited effects of t-VNS on HRV, and are discussed in light of neuroanatomical and statistical considerations and future directions are proposed.