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Updated: Feb 28, 2026
Laboratory Administration of Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation taVNS: Technique, Targeting, and Considerations
Published on: January 7, 2019
Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation During Motor Activity in Healthy Volunteers: A High-Density Diffuse Optical
Sheharyar S Baig1, Caitlin H Illingworth1, Breanna McQueen2
1Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Population Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2HQ, UK.
High-density diffuse optical tomography (HD-DOT) can record brain activity during transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS). This study found HD-DOT feasible for monitoring taVNS effects on motor tasks, suggesting potential for stroke recovery biomarkers.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biomedical Engineering
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Stroke is a primary cause of global disability.
- Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) aids neuroplasticity and motor recovery.
- Validated biomarkers for taVNS are currently lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess if high-density diffuse optical tomography (HD-DOT) can detect motor task-related brain activity during concurrent taVNS.
- To explore HD-DOT's potential as a biomarker for taVNS effects.
Main Methods:
- Thirty-one healthy participants performed finger tapping tasks with sham and active taVNS.
- High-density diffuse optical tomography (HD-DOT) monitored bilateral sensorimotor cortex activity.
- Task-related hemodynamic changes were compared between taVNS conditions.
Main Results:
- HD-DOT successfully detected expected lateralized sensorimotor activation during motor tasks.
- No significant differences in task-related activation were observed between active and sham taVNS for right-hand tapping.
- A non-significant trend for redistribution of activity was noted during left-hand tapping with active taVNS.
Conclusions:
- Simultaneous HD-DOT and taVNS during motor tasks is feasible and well-tolerated.
- HD-DOT reliably recorded task-related cortical activation.
- Future research in stroke patients is needed to validate HD-DOT as a taVNS biomarker.
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