Feasibility of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation in treatment of drug resistant epilepsy: A multicenter prospective study

Sabers, Anne; Aumüller-Wagner, Sophia; Christensen, Lars Rune; Henning, Oliver; Kostov, Konstantin Hrisimirov; Lossius, Morten I.; Majoie, Marian; Mertens, Ann C.; Nielsen, Lene; Vonck, Kristl; Wagner, Louis

doi:10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2021.106776

Cited by 9 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…The second generation of in-ear electrodes for the tVNS-L system provides a fixation ring which is put around the earlobe to provide better stability compared to the NEMOS® system. A recent study with NEMOS® reported a high drop-out rate due to practical reasons [ 50 ], and to our knowledge, our study will be the first to systematically investigate adherence to the protocol with the new electrode. Furthermore, it will be the first to evaluate therapy adherence by using the newly developed and published smartphone apps which provide an automatic stimulation diary.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Effect of transcutaneous auricular vagal nerve stimulation on the fatigue syndrome in patients with gastrointestinal cancers — FATIVA: a randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study protocol

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Timmesfeld

et al. 2023

Pilot Feasibility Stud

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Background Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is defined as a “distressing, persistent, subjective sense of physical, emotional, and/or cognitive tiredness or exhaustion related to cancer or cancer treatment that is not proportional to recent activity and interferes with usual functioning.” CRF is frequently observed in cancer patients even before the initiation of tumor therapy. Its cause is not clear, but in addition to primary effects of therapy, a tumor-induced elevated level of inflammatory cytokines may play a role. Transcutaneous auricular vagal nerve stimulation (taVNS) is a noninvasive way to activate central nervous pathways and modulate pain perception and the immune system. It has positive effects on autoimmune conditions and can also improve fatigue associated with Sjogren’s syndrome. It is the main purpose of this feasibility study to investigate the feasibility of daily taVNS against CRF. Therefore, the stimulation protocol of the newly introduced smartphone app of the manufacturer is evaluated. Additionally, the effect taVNS on CRF and quality of life (QoL) shall be evaluated. Methods Thirty adult patients with gastrointestinal tumors during or after treatment, relevant CRF (Hornheide questionnaire) and life expectancy > 1 year, are enrolled. Patients are randomized to treatment or sham arm and be informed that they will either feel the stimulation or not. Treatment group will receive left-sided tragus above-threshold stimulation with 25 Hz, 250 µs pulse width, and 28-s/32-s on/off paradigm for 4 h throughout the day for 4 weeks. Sham group will receive no stimulation via a nonfunctional electrode. A daily stimulation protocol with time and average intensity is automatically created by a smartphone app connected to the stimulator via Bluetooth®. Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory-20, Short-Form 36 and Beck Depression Inventory questionnaires will be filled out before and after 4 weeks of stimulation. Discussion Primarily, the patients’ daily stimulation time and intensity will be evaluated through the electronic protocol after 4 weeks. Secondarily, the effect of taVNS on cancer-related fatigue and QoL will be measured through the questionnaires. As taVNS seems to modulate inflammatory cytokines, this noninvasive method may — if accepted by the patients — be a promising adjunct in the treatment of cancer-related fatigue. Trial registration The study was approved by local ethics committee (21–7395) and registered at the DRKS database (DRKS00027481).

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Effect of transcutaneous auricular vagal nerve stimulation on the fatigue syndrome in patients with gastrointestinal cancers — FATIVA: a randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study protocol

Gierthmuehlen

Höffken

Timmesfeld

et al. 2023

Pilot Feasibility Stud

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“…[36,37] The auricular branch of the vagus nerve projects to the nucleus tractus solitarius that is further connected to other brain regions. [38,39] Due to superficial innervation of the auricular vagus nerve, taVNS is almost identical to direct auricular vagal nerve stimulation and has been applied for treating various disorders associated with central nervous system, such as epilepsy, migraine, and depression and anxiety. [38,40,42] Recently, taVNS has also been reported to improve gastrointestinal functions.…”

Section: Tavnsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Neuromodulation for functional upper gastrointestinal diseases

Chen

2023

Gut Microb Integr Wellness

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Neuromodulation has recently received a great deal of attention among academic institutions, government funding agents and industries. This mini-review focuses on methods and applications as well as mechanisms of various neuromodulation methods in treating functional diseases of the upper gastrointestinal tract. First, the methods of various neuromodulation are introduced, including direct electrical stimulation at various peripheral nerves, such as the vagus nerve, sacral nerve and spinal cord, direct gastrointestinal electrical stimulation and noninvasive/transcutaneous electrical stimulation. Then, literature search was performed on the clinical applications of these neuromodulation methods for treating gastroesophageal reflux disease, functional dyspepsia and gastroparesis. Due to nature of the mini-review, the search results are selectively presented based on the expert opinions. Finally, a perspective is provided based on the author’s own experience in this field of research.

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Effect of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation on post-stroke dysphagia

Wang

Jiang

et al. 2022

J Neurol

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Feasibility of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation in treatment of drug resistant epilepsy: A multicenter prospective study

Cited by 9 publications

References 20 publications

Effect of transcutaneous auricular vagal nerve stimulation on the fatigue syndrome in patients with gastrointestinal cancers — FATIVA: a randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study protocol

Effect of transcutaneous auricular vagal nerve stimulation on the fatigue syndrome in patients with gastrointestinal cancers — FATIVA: a randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study protocol

Neuromodulation for functional upper gastrointestinal diseases

Effect of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation on post-stroke dysphagia

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