Comparison of the acute effect of transcutaneous auricular stimulation of the vagus nerve in two different locations on cardiac autonomic modulation and blood pressure in healthy and hypertensive individuals: Randomized crossover clinical study

Author : Bruno Paulino Venâncio

Abstract :Objective: To compare the acute Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation (TAVNS) effects at two sites on blood pressure (BP) and heart rate variability (HRV) in hypertensive and healthy individuals. Methods: Fourteen hypertensive and fourteen healthy adults underwent a 30-minute TAVNS session targeting the tragus and cymba conchae. BP systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) (mmHg) and HRV (high frequency - HF, low frequency – LF, and the ratio between high and low frequency - LF/HF) were measured before, during, and after stimulation. Results: TAVNS in the cymba conchae reduced LF (p=0.025) and LF/HF (p=0.030) while increasing HF (p=0.025) in hypertensive patients. In healthy individuals, it increased LF (p=0.000) and LF/HF (p=0.005) but decreased HF (p=0.000) from stimulation to post-stimulation. TAVNS on the tragus had no significant effects on LF or LF/HF in hypertensive patients. However, in healthy individuals, LF (p=0.022) and LF/HF (p=0.014, p=0.005) increased from baseline and during stimulation to post stimulation. TAVNS on the cymba conchae did not affect BP in hypertensive patients, but in healthy individuals, it significantly decreased SBP (p=0.044) and DBP (p=0.020). TAVNS on the tragus significantly reduced DBP in hypertensive patients (p=0.036), with no significant changes in healthy individuals.

Keywords :Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation (TAVNS), Blood Pressure (BP), Heart Rate Variability (HRV), Hypertension, Tragus, Cymba Conchae, Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP), Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP), Autonomic Nervous System, Neuromodulation.

Conference Name :International Conference on Health Information Technology and Primary Healthcare (ICHITPH-25)

Conference Place Salta, Argentina

Conference Date 18th Jan 2025