The Effect Of Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation On Sports Performance And Physiological Parameters

NCT ID: NCT04768738

Last Updated: 2021-02-24

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

Get a concise snapshot of the trial, including recruitment status, study phase, enrollment targets, and key timeline milestones.

Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

46 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2020-02-01

Study Completion Date

2020-11-01

Brief Summary

Review the sponsor-provided synopsis that highlights what the study is about and why it is being conducted.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of non-invasive auricular VNS (Vagus Nerve Stimulation) on sportive performance and physiological parameters in healthy individuals.

MATERIAL AND METHOD: 46 healthy young individuals aged 19.2(±1.5) years participated in the study. The participants were randomly divided into 3 groups as Above Threshold Group (n:15; 10 females, 5 males), Under Threshold Group (n:15; 10 females, 5 males) and Control Group (no stimulation) (n:16; 11 females, 5 males) according to the sensation of electrical current on ears. The participants were evaluated 3 times; before the application, after the first and second bicycle exercises. Numerical pain scale (NPS), pulse rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and distance travelled during exercise for sportive performance were recorded in kilometers as the evaluation method. The stimulation was done during the first bicycle exercise with 5 minutes of duration. The Kruskal-wallis, mann-whitney u test were used for the quantitative independent data obtained. In the analysis of qualitative independent data, chi-squared test was used.

Detailed Description

Dive into the extended narrative that explains the scientific background, objectives, and procedures in greater depth.

This study included 46 individuals aged 18-35 years in the home patient care laboratory at Sinop University Vocational School of Turkeli. Priorities were explained and the permission of the individuals was obtained. The number of females and males was divided into 3 groups as randomized. Participants were evaluated by Numerical pain scale (NPS), pulse rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and saturation measurement. In addition, the distance travelled during the exercise for sportive performance was recorded in kilometers. In the study, evaluation was conducted 3 times before the application, after the first and second bicycle exercises.

The study was double-blind randomized. Participants in the whole group were asked to perform bicycle exercise with maximum performance under 50 watts for 5 minutes. In all groups Vagustim device was used for stimulation. In the above threshold group, biphasic current was applied as follows; frequency 10 Hz, in Modulation mode (Modulation mode is a combination of pulse rate and pulse width modulation. The pulse rate and width are automatically varied in a cycle pattern. The pulse width is reduced by 50% from its original setting in 0.5 second, then the pulse rate is reduced by 50% from its original setting in 0.5 second. Total cycle time is 1 second.), the pulse width was 300 μs. The current intensity was kept constant where the participant felt the current comfortably and applied for 5 minutes. VNS was applied bilaterally to transmit current from the tragus and concha parts of the ear. After the first bicycle exercise, the participants were re-evaluated. In the second bicycle exercise, it was asked to perform for 5 minutes under the same load without any application. The study was evaluated for the third time and the study was completed.

In the subthreshold group, the parameters were the same but the current was reduced to where the participant did not feel the current after the threshold value was reached and again applied for 5 minutes. It was re-evaluated after the first bicycle exercise. In the second bicycle exercise, he was asked to perform bicycle exercise with maximum performance for 5 minutes under the same load without any application. The study was evaluated for the third time and the study was completed.

In the control group, bicycle exercise was performed under the same load with the current-free headset produced for sham applications for 5 minutes. Participants were shown that the device was working, but no current was given. It was re-evaluated after the first bicycle exercise. In the second bicycle exercise, the device was removed and asked to perform bicycle exercise with maximum performance for 5 minutes under the same load. The study was evaluated for the third time and the study was completed.

Conditions

See the medical conditions and disease areas that this research is targeting or investigating.

Healthy Activity, Motor

Study Design

Understand how the trial is structured, including allocation methods, masking strategies, primary purpose, and other design elements.

Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

46 healthy young individuals aged 19.2±1.5 years participated in the study. The participants were randomly divided into 3 groups as Above Threshold Group (n:15; 10 females, 5 males), Under Threshold Group (n:15; 10 females, 5 males) and Control Group (no stimulation) (n:16; 11 females, 5 males) according to the sensation of electrical current on ears. The participants were evaluated 3 times; before the application, after the first and second bicycle exercises. Numerical pain scale (NPS), pulse rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and distance travelled during exercise for sportive performance were recorded in kilometers as the evaluation method. The stimulation was done during the first bicycle exercise with 5 minutes of duration. The Kruskal-wallis, mann-whitney u test were used for the quantitative independent data obtained. In the analysis of qualitative independent data, chi-squared test was used.
Primary Study Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Blinding Strategy

DOUBLE

Participants Outcome Assessors

Study Groups

Review each arm or cohort in the study, along with the interventions and objectives associated with them.

Above Threshold Group

In the above threshold group, biphasic current was applied as follows; frequency 10 Hz, in Modulation mode (Modulation mode is a combination of pulse rate and pulse width modulation. The pulse rate and width are automatically varied in a cycle pattern. The pulse width is reduced by 50% from its original setting in 0.5 second, then the pulse rate is reduced by 50% from its original setting in 0.5 second. Total cycle time is 1 second.), the pulse width was 300 μs. The current intensity was kept constant where the participant felt the current comfortably and applied for 5 minutes.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation Level Of Above Threshold

Intervention Type DEVICE

Biphasic current was applied as follows; frequency 10 Hz, in Modulation mode (Modulation mode is a combination of pulse rate and pulse width modulation. The pulse rate and width are automatically varied in a cycle pattern. The pulse width is reduced by 50% from its original setting in 0.5 second, then the pulse rate is reduced by 50% from its original setting in 0.5 second. Total cycle time is 1 second.), the pulse width was 300 μs. The current intensity was kept constant where the participant felt the current comfortably and applied for 5 minutes.

5 Minutes Bicycle Exercise

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Participants in this group were asked to perform bicycle exercise with maximum performance under 50 watts for 5 minutes.

Subthreshold Group

In the subthreshold group, biphasic current was applied as follows; frequency 10 Hz, in Modulation mode (Modulation mode is a combination of pulse rate and pulse width modulation. The pulse rate and width are automatically varied in a cycle pattern. The pulse width is reduced by 50% from its original setting in 0.5 second, then the pulse rate is reduced by 50% from its original setting in 0.5 second. Total cycle time is 1 second.), the pulse width was 300 μs. The parameters were the same with Above Threshold Group but the current was reduced to where the participant did not feel the current after the threshold value was reached and again applied for 5 minutes.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation Level Of Subthreshold

Intervention Type DEVICE

biphasic current was applied as follows; frequency 10 Hz, in Modulation mode (Modulation mode is a combination of pulse rate and pulse width modulation. The pulse rate and width are automatically varied in a cycle pattern. The pulse width is reduced by 50% from its original setting in 0.5 second, then the pulse rate is reduced by 50% from its original setting in 0.5 second. Total cycle time is 1 second.), the pulse width was 300 μs. The parameters were the same with Above Threshold Group but the current was reduced to where the participant did not feel the current after the threshold value was reached and again applied for 5 minutes.

5 Minutes Bicycle Exercise

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Participants in this group were asked to perform bicycle exercise with maximum performance under 50 watts for 5 minutes.

Control Group

In the control group, bicycle exercise was performed under the same load with the current-free headset produced for sham applications for 5 minutes. Participants were shown that the device was working, but no current was given.

Group Type SHAM_COMPARATOR

Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation Sham Method

Intervention Type DEVICE

Participants were shown that the device was working, but no current was given.

5 Minutes Bicycle Exercise

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Participants in this group were asked to perform bicycle exercise with maximum performance under 50 watts for 5 minutes.

Interventions

Learn about the drugs, procedures, or behavioral strategies being tested and how they are applied within this trial.

Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation Level Of Above Threshold

Biphasic current was applied as follows; frequency 10 Hz, in Modulation mode (Modulation mode is a combination of pulse rate and pulse width modulation. The pulse rate and width are automatically varied in a cycle pattern. The pulse width is reduced by 50% from its original setting in 0.5 second, then the pulse rate is reduced by 50% from its original setting in 0.5 second. Total cycle time is 1 second.), the pulse width was 300 μs. The current intensity was kept constant where the participant felt the current comfortably and applied for 5 minutes.

Intervention Type DEVICE

Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation Level Of Subthreshold

biphasic current was applied as follows; frequency 10 Hz, in Modulation mode (Modulation mode is a combination of pulse rate and pulse width modulation. The pulse rate and width are automatically varied in a cycle pattern. The pulse width is reduced by 50% from its original setting in 0.5 second, then the pulse rate is reduced by 50% from its original setting in 0.5 second. Total cycle time is 1 second.), the pulse width was 300 μs. The parameters were the same with Above Threshold Group but the current was reduced to where the participant did not feel the current after the threshold value was reached and again applied for 5 minutes.

Intervention Type DEVICE

Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation Sham Method

Participants were shown that the device was working, but no current was given.

Intervention Type DEVICE

5 Minutes Bicycle Exercise

Participants in this group were asked to perform bicycle exercise with maximum performance under 50 watts for 5 minutes.

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Other Intervention Names

Discover alternative or legacy names that may be used to describe the listed interventions across different sources.

Level Of Subthreshold Sham Method Bicycle Exercise

Eligibility Criteria

Check the participation requirements, including inclusion and exclusion rules, age limits, and whether healthy volunteers are accepted.

Inclusion Criteria

* 18-35 years age
* Being healthy

Exclusion Criteria

* any known disease
* any drug usage
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

27 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

Meet the organizations funding or collaborating on the study and learn about their roles.

Sinop University

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

Identify the individual or organization who holds primary responsibility for the study information submitted to regulators.

SEFA HAKTAN HATIK

PT, MSc, PhD(c)

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

Explore where the study is taking place and check the recruitment status at each participating site.

Sefa Haktan Hatık

Sinop, Turkeli, Turkey (Türkiye)

Site Status

Countries

Review the countries where the study has at least one active or historical site.

Turkey (Türkiye)

References

Explore related publications, articles, or registry entries linked to this study.

Nur Gökçe, E , Pınar Cengi̇z, Z , Erbaş, O . (2018). Uzun ömrün sırrı: Vagus siniri . İstanbul Bilim Üniversitesi Florence Nightingale Tıp Dergisi , 4 (3) , 154-165 . Retrieved from https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/ibufntd/issue/39718/470405

Reference Type BACKGROUND

Tracey, K.J., Inhibition of inflammatory cytokine production by cholinergic agonists and vagus nerve stimulation. 2003, Google Patents

Reference Type BACKGROUND

Hong GS, Zillekens A, Schneiker B, Pantelis D, de Jonge WJ, Schaefer N, Kalff JC, Wehner S. Non-invasive transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation prevents postoperative ileus and endotoxemia in mice. Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2019 Mar;31(3):e13501. doi: 10.1111/nmo.13501. Epub 2018 Nov 8.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 30406957 (View on PubMed)

Liu JJ, Huang N, Lu Y, Zhao M, Yu XJ, Yang Y, Yang YH, Zang WJ. Improving vagal activity ameliorates cardiac fibrosis induced by angiotensin II: in vivo and in vitro. Sci Rep. 2015 Nov 24;5:17108. doi: 10.1038/srep17108.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 26596640 (View on PubMed)

Lataro RM, Silva CA, Fazan R Jr, Rossi MA, Prado CM, Godinho RO, Salgado HC. Increase in parasympathetic tone by pyridostigmine prevents ventricular dysfunction during the onset of heart failure. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2013 Oct 15;305(8):R908-16. doi: 10.1152/ajpregu.00102.2013. Epub 2013 Aug 15.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 23948774 (View on PubMed)

Dalli J, Colas RA, Arnardottir H, Serhan CN. Vagal Regulation of Group 3 Innate Lymphoid Cells and the Immunoresolvent PCTR1 Controls Infection Resolution. Immunity. 2017 Jan 17;46(1):92-105. doi: 10.1016/j.immuni.2016.12.009. Epub 2017 Jan 5.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 28065837 (View on PubMed)

Penry JK, Dean JC. Prevention of intractable partial seizures by intermittent vagal stimulation in humans: preliminary results. Epilepsia. 1990;31 Suppl 2:S40-3. doi: 10.1111/j.1528-1157.1990.tb05848.x.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 2121469 (View on PubMed)

Ben-Menachem E, Revesz D, Simon BJ, Silberstein S. Surgically implanted and non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation: a review of efficacy, safety and tolerability. Eur J Neurol. 2015 Sep;22(9):1260-8. doi: 10.1111/ene.12629. Epub 2015 Jan 23.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 25614179 (View on PubMed)

Yuan H, Silberstein SD. Vagus Nerve and Vagus Nerve Stimulation, a Comprehensive Review: Part II. Headache. 2016 Feb;56(2):259-66. doi: 10.1111/head.12650. Epub 2015 Sep 18.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 26381725 (View on PubMed)

Straube A, Ellrich J, Eren O, Blum B, Ruscheweyh R. Treatment of chronic migraine with transcutaneous stimulation of the auricular branch of the vagal nerve (auricular t-VNS): a randomized, monocentric clinical trial. J Headache Pain. 2015;16:543. doi: 10.1186/s10194-015-0543-3. Epub 2015 Jul 9.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 26156114 (View on PubMed)

Silberstein SD, Calhoun AH, Lipton RB, Grosberg BM, Cady RK, Dorlas S, Simmons KA, Mullin C, Liebler EJ, Goadsby PJ, Saper JR; EVENT Study Group. Chronic migraine headache prevention with noninvasive vagus nerve stimulation: The EVENT study. Neurology. 2016 Aug 2;87(5):529-38. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000002918. Epub 2016 Jul 13.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 27412146 (View on PubMed)

Tassorelli C, Grazzi L, de Tommaso M, Pierangeli G, Martelletti P, Rainero I, Dorlas S, Geppetti P, Ambrosini A, Sarchielli P, Liebler E, Barbanti P; PRESTO Study Group. Noninvasive vagus nerve stimulation as acute therapy for migraine: The randomized PRESTO study. Neurology. 2018 Jul 24;91(4):e364-e373. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000005857. Epub 2018 Jun 15.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 29907608 (View on PubMed)

Beh SC, Friedman DI. Acute vestibular migraine treatment with noninvasive vagus nerve stimulation. Neurology. 2019 Oct 29;93(18):e1715-e1719. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000008388. Epub 2019 Sep 25.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 31554650 (View on PubMed)

Busch V, Zeman F, Heckel A, Menne F, Ellrich J, Eichhammer P. The effect of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation on pain perception--an experimental study. Brain Stimul. 2013 Mar;6(2):202-9. doi: 10.1016/j.brs.2012.04.006. Epub 2012 May 7.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 22621941 (View on PubMed)

Moller M, Mehnert J, Schroeder CF, May A. Noninvasive vagus nerve stimulation and the trigeminal autonomic reflex: An fMRI study. Neurology. 2020 Mar 10;94(10):e1085-e1093. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000008865. Epub 2020 Feb 6.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 32029547 (View on PubMed)

Colzato LS, Ritter SM, Steenbergen L. Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) enhances divergent thinking. Neuropsychologia. 2018 Mar;111:72-76. doi: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2018.01.003. Epub 2018 Jan 8.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 29326067 (View on PubMed)

Oshinsky ML, Murphy AL, Hekierski H Jr, Cooper M, Simon BJ. Noninvasive vagus nerve stimulation as treatment for trigeminal allodynia. Pain. 2014 May;155(5):1037-1042. doi: 10.1016/j.pain.2014.02.009. Epub 2014 Feb 14.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 24530613 (View on PubMed)

Antonino D, Teixeira AL, Maia-Lopes PM, Souza MC, Sabino-Carvalho JL, Murray AR, Deuchars J, Vianna LC. Non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation acutely improves spontaneous cardiac baroreflex sensitivity in healthy young men: A randomized placebo-controlled trial. Brain Stimul. 2017 Sep-Oct;10(5):875-881. doi: 10.1016/j.brs.2017.05.006. Epub 2017 May 19.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 28566194 (View on PubMed)

Sabino-Carvalho, J.L., et al., Non-invasive Vagus Nerve Stimulation Acutely Improves Blood Pressure Control in a Placebo Controlled Study. The FASEB Journal, 2017. 31(1_supplement): p. 848.8-848.8.

Reference Type BACKGROUND

Annoni EM, Xie X, Lee SW, Libbus I, KenKnight BH, Osborn JW, Tolkacheva EG. Intermittent electrical stimulation of the right cervical vagus nerve in salt-sensitive hypertensive rats: effects on blood pressure, arrhythmias, and ventricular electrophysiology. Physiol Rep. 2015 Aug;3(8):e12476. doi: 10.14814/phy2.12476.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 26265746 (View on PubMed)

Tiedt N, Religa A. Vagal control of coronary blood flow in dogs. Basic Res Cardiol. 1979 May-Jun;74(3):266-76. doi: 10.1007/BF01907744.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 475732 (View on PubMed)

Chen M, Yu L, Liu Q, Jiang H, Zhou S. Vagus nerve stimulation: A spear role or a shield role in atrial fibrillation? Int J Cardiol. 2015 Nov 1;198:115-6. doi: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2015.06.171. Epub 2015 Jul 5. No abstract available.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 26184434 (View on PubMed)

Lee SW, Li Q, Libbus I, Xie X, KenKnight BH, Garry MG, Tolkacheva EG. Chronic cyclic vagus nerve stimulation has beneficial electrophysiological effects on healthy hearts in the absence of autonomic imbalance. Physiol Rep. 2016 May;4(9):e12786. doi: 10.14814/phy2.12786.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 27173672 (View on PubMed)

Annoni EM, Van Helden D, Guo Y, Levac B, Libbus I, KenKnight BH, Osborn JW, Tolkacheva EG. Chronic Low-Level Vagus Nerve Stimulation Improves Long-Term Survival in Salt-Sensitive Hypertensive Rats. Front Physiol. 2019 Jan 31;10:25. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2019.00025. eCollection 2019.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 30766489 (View on PubMed)

Clancy JA, Mary DA, Witte KK, Greenwood JP, Deuchars SA, Deuchars J. Non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation in healthy humans reduces sympathetic nerve activity. Brain Stimul. 2014 Nov-Dec;7(6):871-7. doi: 10.1016/j.brs.2014.07.031. Epub 2014 Jul 16.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 25164906 (View on PubMed)

Yoo PB, Liu H, Hincapie JG, Ruble SB, Hamann JJ, Grill WM. Modulation of heart rate by temporally patterned vagus nerve stimulation in the anesthetized dog. Physiol Rep. 2016 Feb;4(2):e12689. doi: 10.14814/phy2.12689.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 26811057 (View on PubMed)

Xie X, Lee SW, Johnson C, Ippolito J, KenKnight BH, Tolkacheva EG. Intermittent vagal nerve stimulation alters the electrophysiological properties of atrium in the myocardial infarction rat model. Annu Int Conf IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc. 2014;2014:1575-8. doi: 10.1109/EMBC.2014.6943904.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 25570272 (View on PubMed)

Li M, Zheng C, Sato T, Kawada T, Sugimachi M, Sunagawa K. Vagal nerve stimulation markedly improves long-term survival after chronic heart failure in rats. Circulation. 2004 Jan 6;109(1):120-4. doi: 10.1161/01.CIR.0000105721.71640.DA. Epub 2003 Dec 8.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 14662714 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

Review additional registry numbers or institutional identifiers associated with this trial.

VNS001

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

More Related Trials

Additional clinical trials that may be relevant based on similarity analysis.