Does transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation compared to deep breathing exercise improve autonomic nervous system activity and muscle properties in healthy adults?
Both taVNS and deep breathing acutely increase parasympathetic activity and muscle relaxation in healthy adults, with deep breathing slightly more effective for autonomic modulation and taVNS for muscle relaxation.
Background/Objectives: We aimed to examine the acute effects of deep breathing exercise and transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) on autonomic nervous system activation and the characteristics of certain muscle groups and to compare these two methods. Methods: 60 healthy adults between the ages of 18 and 45 were randomly divided into two groups to receive a single session of taVNS and deep breathing exercises. Acute measurements of pulse, blood pressure, perceived stress scale, autonomic activity, and muscle properties were performed before and after the application. Results: A significant decrease was detected in the findings regarding the perceived stress scale, pulse, and blood pressure values as a result of a single session application in both groups (p 50 ms (pNN50), and stress index parameters (p < 0.05). In the measurements made with the Myoton®PRO device, the increase in the relaxation value was higher in the gastrocnemius muscle of the VNS group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: It has been observed that both methods can increase parasympathetic activity and muscle relaxation in healthy people in a single session. However, DB appears to be slightly superior in increasing parasympathetic activity, and VNS appears to be slightly superior in increasing relaxation.
Ertürk et al. (Fri,) studied this question.
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