Effect of Physiotherapy Interventions on Amaxophobia Among Car Driving Population- A Pilot Study

Background: Amaxophobia, a type of situational or driving fear, is an anxiety disorder marked by an excessive fear of specific stimuli related to driving, in which exposure produces higher anxiety levels. When this phobia strikes, a person might experience such severe anxiety that they are unable to drive or travel in any vehicle. Anxiety- and fear-regulating brain regions receive input via the vagal nerve. By targeting on the vagus nerve, taVNS provides a non-invasive means of influencing anxiety-related neural circuits. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of physiotherapy interventions in alleviating amaxophobia symptoms and improving driving related confidence among car drivers, emphasizing its potential significance in enhancing mental well-being.Methods: Total 20 car-driving professionals diagnosed with amaxophobia symptoms were chosen through random allocation and divided into two groups, A and B; each group consists of 10 participants. Transcutaneous auricular vagal nerve stimulation of frequency 20 Hz with the Jacobson relaxation technique was given to one group, and the other group received taVNS of frequency 30 Hz with the Jacobson relaxation technique for a period of four weeks. James Whetstone’s measure of amaxophobia was used as an outcome measure in this study.Results: Following the four-week intervention, both groups’ scores on the James Whetstone scale of amaxophobia significantly decreased. (P = <0.001). The rate was noticeably greater in Group A than in Group B. These results contribute to the exploration of non-invasive strategies to enhance the well-being of driving professionals working in demanding environments.Conclusion: The findings suggested that transcutaneous auricular vagal nerve stimulation found to be beneficial and effective intervention in alleviating the symptoms of amaxophobia and improving driving related confidence among car drivers