Technical aspects and future approaches in transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS)

With the emergence of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) as a therapy option for a multitude of clinical indications, the development and improvement of the stimulators becomes an increasingly important point of focus. This paper aims to discuss electrotechnical and software-based improvements to the state-of-the-art stimulators, in order to reduce the experienced side effects of the subjects as well as to increase the efficacy of the stimulation. It was found that side effects such as erythema and pain at the stimulation site are caused by electrolysis at the site of stimulation, which can be reduced by maintaining a voltage below the decomposition voltage.
Source: Autonomic Neuroscience: Basic and Clinical - Category: Neuroscience Authors: Tags: Review Source Type: research