Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation Improves Inflammation but Does Not Interfere with Cardiac Modulation and Clinical Symptoms of Individuals with COVID-19:
When I went to the Neuromodulation conference in May in Barcelona, there was a presentation by someone from Sevilla, who showed improvement in symptoms in patients in the hospital with Covid. Since inflammation plays such a key role in Covid 19 symptoms and disability, any safe means of decreasing inflammation would be welcome. TAVNS can…
Read MoreDifferent Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation Parameters Modulate the Anti-Inflammatory Effects on Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Acute Inflammation in Mice
In this study, the researchers were measuring inflammatory marker levels as a function of the frequency of Transcutaneous Auricular Vagal Nerve Stimulation. They found that 15HZ caused a marked reduction in LPS inflammatory response compared to 25 hz. I will have to try this in the clinic! (Not on mice of course…) Go YY, Ju…
Read MoreEffect of Transcutaneous Vagal Nerve Stimulation and Deep Breathing on HRV
Both deep breathing and TAVNS increased HRV in this study. I discourage patients’ deep breathing while I’m measuring their HRV during acupuncture treatment or acupuncture with TAVNS. The deep breathing distorts the readings wildly. I don’t make a practice of measuring HRV after the intervention has stopped. Maybe I should!! Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis and…
Read MoreEffects of Acupuncture on Heart Rate Variability During Sleep: Comparison with Nonacupuncture Site Stimulation Using a Crossover Design.
This is a very nice study that looks at HRV during sleep comparing verum acupuncture with sham acupuncture. They find that there was a significant increase in parasympathetic activity during sleep (except during REM sleep). Heart rate also decreased. Previous studies have shown that acupuncture improves sleep, so here we see that this autonomic shift…
Read MoreDoes Running Really Harm Your Knees?
“Does Running Really Wreck Your Knees?” Contrary to popular opinion, distance running rarely causes knee problems in runners, and often leaves joints sturdier and less damaged. Study after study indicates running rarely causes or exacerbates arthritis in most runners’ knees, even older runners, who are at relatively high risk for arthritis. Can running build stronger…
Read MoreFlaws in Alzheimers Research
This is an important story. For those who have an interest in science and scientific research I highly recommend that you read the article from Science. It reads like a gripping detective story, but is quite chilling. I had been aware that there was controversy about the role of amyloid plaques in Alzheimer’s research. But…
Read MoreDetermination of the Effects of Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation on the Heart Rate Variability Using a Machine Learning Pipeline.
This study is of keen interest to me since I’ve been trying to figure out which parameter is most reflective of TAVNS effect. In my last poster, I had identified LF/HF as the most pertinent measure. I’m glad to see that they come to the same conclusion! There are so many variables in this research,…
Read MoreImpact of acupuncture and integrative therapies on chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: A multicentered, randomized controlled trial.
Study out of Israel showing improvement in peripheral neuropathy secondary to chemotherapy with acupuncture. Alas, the full article is behind a paywall. Other posts on the topic. and here Ben-Arye E, Hausner D, Samuels N, Gamus D, Lavie O, Tadmor T, Gressel O, Agbarya A, Attias S, David A, Schiff E. Impact of acupuncture and…
Read MoreEffects of exercise training and exercise plus acupuncture on chronic insomnia: a feasibility study
This is a feasibility study, so take any results with a huge grain of salt. (Hard to picture, but you know what I mean.) The acupuncture did not augment the benefits of exercise alone. Other studies have shown benefits from acupuncture for insomnia. Morning cortisol data is confusing and with such small numbers, it’s hard…
Read MoreInjecting Acupoints with Autologous Blood Decreases Atopic Dermatitis.
I’ve wondered about this for awhile whether simply injecting with something safe, patient’s own blood, would lead to a more robust immune response. I had wondered whether saline alone would give more of a response than dry needling alone, but perhaps that would not be enough to stimulate the immune system. In this animal study,…
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