Balance, Autonomic Response, and Sensory Modulation to Dosage of Mechanical Vagal Stimulation in Healthy Adults

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF VIENNA · Aug 2, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a new method of stimulating the vagus nerve, called mechanical vagus nerve stimulation (mVNS). The vagus nerve helps control important body functions like heart rate, digestion, and balance. Researchers want to see how different levels of mVNS affect things like heart rate, balance, and even the health of the gut. This could lead to new treatments for conditions where the vagus nerve isn't functioning properly, like heart rate issues, digestive problems, and chronic pain.

To participate in this study, individuals must be between 18 and 60 years old and agree to join by signing a consent form. However, participants cannot have significant pain in their neck, head, or legs, recent surgeries, or certain health conditions like cancer or diabetes. If you join the study, you can expect to undergo different mVNS protocols and have various health measurements taken, including heart rate and stool samples to assess digestion. This research is important because it could provide insights into non-invasive treatments for autonomic disorders and improve overall health and balance.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • agreement to participate by signing the informed consent form, being 18-60 years old, and sober
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • participants having significant neck pain, headache, or leg pain \[with Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) greater than 3/10\],
• • pregnancy
• • recent neck or cardiovascular surgery or significant trauma in the preceding 3 months
• • diagnosis of cancer or inflammatory disorders (fever),
• • spinal cord or cauda equina signs,
• • widespread neurological disorders affecting the tone of the limbs and neck muscles
• • underlying diseases, such as diabetes mellitus.
• • pace-maker
• • antibiotic prescription during the last 3 months
• • gastrointestinal surgery,
• • lower extremity injury (acute or overuse) that prevented them from participating in sports activities for at least one day in the previous 6 months.