Tag: TaVNS

Case Studies

TAVNS Transcutaneous Auricular Vagal Nerve Stimulation and HRV: Clinic data Ly.Ma edition

My ongoing work to use HRV (heart rate variability) to document improved autonomic activity (stress levels) has as one of its foci the use of TAVNS and if there appears to be improved stress levels with its use. Even though there are studies showing that TAVNS activated autonomic centers in the brain, I have not…

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Medical Research

Auricular Neuromodulation: The Emerging Concept beyond the Stimulation of Vagus and Trigeminal Nerves

Another article exploring the uses of transcutaneous auricular vagal nerve stimulation and the physiology of its effects.  So many of the studies are small, so not definitive.  I am also wary since there is a “gold rush” to produce expensive products to exploit the benefits of vagal nerve enhancement. Among the cited conditions that might…

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Medical Research

Acupuncture and Neuromodulation: Napadow Editorial

When a White Horse is a Horse:Embracing the (Obvious?) Overlap Between Acupuncture and Neuromodulation As some patients may know, I was going to present at the NYC North American Neuromodulation conference in August.  Due to family obligations, I had to cancel.  My presentation was on a group of migraine patients and whether the addition of…

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Auricular vagus nerve stimulation enhances central serotonergic function and inhibits diabetic neuropathy development in Zucker fatty rats.

This study uses 30 minute daily sessions, not at all difficult to achieve.  Granted this study is in animals, but this study also used 30 minute daily session in humans.  Maybe time to try this myself! Mol Pain. 2018 Jan-Dec;14:1744806918787368. doi: 10.1177/1744806918787368. Epub 2018 Jun 19. Auricular vagus nerve stimulation enhances central serotonergic function and…

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Medical Research

Polyvagal Theory and Auricular Acupuncture

Polyvagal theory Oleson Medical Acupuncture This is from a recent issue of Medical Acupuncture and discusses the importance of the vagus nerve in auricular acupuncture.  My research, such as it is, is focussed on the stress response and the role of the autonomic nervous system in acupuncture . Until recently, both Western medicine and traditional…

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Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation induces tidal melatonin secretion and has an antidiabetic effect in Zucker fatty rats.

This study came up on my feed, and even though a few years old, the melatonin piece plus the possible help for diabetes make it worthy of its own blog post.  I’ve given my own version of TAVNS devices to some patients to use at home.  Like many self care items, people often don’t end…

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Non-Invasive Neuromodulation for Headache Disorders.

Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep. 2016 Feb;16(2):11. doi: 10.1007/s11910-015-0620-7. Non-Invasive Neuromodulation for Headache Disorders. Zhu S1, Marmura MJ2. Author information Abstract Migraine and other chronic headache disorders are common and if inadequately treated, can lead to significant disability. The effectiveness of medications can be limited by side effects, drug interactions, and comorbid diseases necessitating alternative methods….

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Case Studies

Abstract for NANS meeting. TAVNS and Autonomic Balance in the Acupuncture Clinic: Clinical Case Study

This is my abstract for the upcoming NANS conference in NYC.  It was accepted!  So to NYC for me in August. Introduction: Improving autonomic balance (increasing parasympathetic activity and decreasing sympathetic activity)leads to better immunity, pain tolerance, mood, longevity and inflammation. Both Transcutaneous Auricular Vagal Nerve Stimulation (TAVNS)[i] and acupuncture[ii] [iii] [iv]have been shown to…

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Treating Depression with TaVNS: State of the Art and Future Perspectives

This paper is a terrific review of the science behind TaVNS (transcutaneous auricular vagal nerve stimulation) and how it pertains to treatment of major depression. They teased out the aspects of the Hamilton Depression Scale that were most affected by the TaVNS.  They were anxiety, psychomotor, sleep disturbance, hopelessness. They also had some specifics for the…

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Parameters for TAVNS

These researchers set out to determine the best parameters for TaVNS.  The found 500μ and 25Hz or 10Hz were most effective.  They used the tragus for stimulation.  Tragus may not be the most effective, but it does have some effect on the auricular branch of the vagus nerve.  The authors do not specify which ear…

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