Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation modulates masseter muscle activity, pain perception, and anxiety levels in university students: a double-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial.

Autor:	Ferreira LMA; Neuromodulation and Pain Unit (NeuroPain), Egas Moniz Center for Interdisciplinary Research (CiiEM), Egas Moniz School of Health & Science, Almada, Portugal., Brites R; Neuromodulation and Pain Unit (NeuroPain), Egas Moniz Center for Interdisciplinary Research (CiiEM), Egas Moniz School of Health & Science, Almada, Portugal., Fraião G; Neuromodulation and Pain Unit (NeuroPain), Egas Moniz Center for Interdisciplinary Research (CiiEM), Egas Moniz School of Health & Science, Almada, Portugal., Pereira G; Neuromodulation and Pain Unit (NeuroPain), Egas Moniz Center for Interdisciplinary Research (CiiEM), Egas Moniz School of Health & Science, Almada, Portugal., Fernandes H; Neuromodulation and Pain Unit (NeuroPain), Egas Moniz Center for Interdisciplinary Research (CiiEM), Egas Moniz School of Health & Science, Almada, Portugal., de Brito JAA; Neuromodulation and Pain Unit (NeuroPain), Egas Moniz Center for Interdisciplinary Research (CiiEM), Egas Moniz School of Health & Science, Almada, Portugal., Pereira Generoso L; Laboratory of Neuroscience, Neuromodulation and Study of Pain (LANNED), Federal University of Alfenas - UNIFAL-MG, Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil., Maziero Capello MG; Laboratory of Neuroscience, Neuromodulation and Study of Pain (LANNED), Federal University of Alfenas - UNIFAL-MG, Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil., Pereira GS; Laboratory of Neuroscience, Neuromodulation and Study of Pain (LANNED), Federal University of Alfenas - UNIFAL-MG, Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil., Scoz RD; Neuromodulation and Pain Unit (NeuroPain), Egas Moniz Center for Interdisciplinary Research (CiiEM), Egas Moniz School of Health & Science, Almada, Portugal., Silva JRT; Laboratory of Neuroscience, Neuromodulation and Study of Pain (LANNED), Federal University of Alfenas - UNIFAL-MG, Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil., Silva ML; Laboratory of Neuroscience, Neuromodulation and Study of Pain (LANNED), Federal University of Alfenas - UNIFAL-MG, Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Jazyk:	angličtina
Zdroj:	Frontiers in integrative neuroscience [Front Integr Neurosci] 2024 Jul 10; Vol. 18, pp. 1422312. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Jul 10 (Print Publication: 2024).
DOI:	10.3389/fnint.2024.1422312
Abstrakt:	Introduction: Chronic anxiety is a statemarked by sustained activation of the masseter muscle, manifesting in both mental and physical strain. This prolonged tension can significantly impact mental wellbeing and cognitive abilities, posing a risk for a range of health complications. This double-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial investigated the impact of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (TAVNS) on masseter muscle activity, pressure pain threshold (PPT), and anxiety levels in university students with elevated anxiety. Methods: Forty-two participants meeting inclusion criteria were randomly assigned to either active TAVNS or sham TAVNS groups. Various parameters, including masseter muscle electromyographic (EMG) signals, PPT, and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) scores, were assessed before pretreatment, immediately after the intervention week, and 2 weeks follow-up. Results: Active TAVNS significantly reduced both left and right masseter activation during resting mandibular position, persisting for 2 weeks post-intervention. Additionally, TAVNS induced a lasting decrease in both left and right masseter PPT, indicative of altered pain perception. Notably, BAI scores showed a substantial reduction, emphasizing TAVNS as a potential intervention for anxiety, with effects maintained at the 2-week follow-up. Discussion: This study provides comprehensive insights into the multifaceted effects of TAVNS on physiological and psychological aspects associated with anxiety in university students. The promising results underscore TAVNS as a potential neuromodulatory intervention for anxiety-related conditions, warranting further research and clinical exploration. Clinical Trial Registration: https://ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-4s4kt2r. Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. (Copyright © 2024 Ferreira, Brites, Fraião, Pereira, Fernandes, de Brito, Pereira Generoso, Maziero Capello, Pereira, Scoz, Silva and Silva.)
Databáze:	MEDLINE
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