Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulators: a review of past, present, and future devices.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

As an emerging neuromodulation therapy, transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) has been proven to be safe and effective for epilepsy, major depressive disorders, insomnia, glucose metabolic disorders, pain, stroke, post stroke rehabilitation, anxiety, fear, cognitive impairment, cardiovascular disorders, tinnitus, Prader-Willi Syndrome, and COVID-19.

AREAS COVERED:

Although the history of taVNS is only two decades, the devices carrying taVNS technique have been constantly updated. Especially in recent years, the development of taVNS devices has presented a new trend. To conclude, the development of taVNS devices has entered a new era, thus the update speed and quality of taVNS devices will be considerably improved in the future. This article reviewed the history and classification of taVNS devices.

EXPERT OPINION:

The correlation between the effectiveness and stimulation parameters from taVNS devices still remains unclear. There is a lack of standard or harmonization among different taVNS devices. Strategies, including further comparative research and establishment of standard, have been recommended in this article to promote the future development of taVNS devices.

• Authors: Lei Wang, Yu Wang, Yifei Wang, Fang Wang, Jinling Zhang, Shaoyuan Li, Mozheng Wu, Liang Li, Peijing Rong
• Journal: Expert review of medical devices (Expert Rev Med Devices) Vol. 19 Issue 1 Pg. 43-61 (Jan 2022) ISSN: 1745-2422 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 34937487 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Topics

• COVID-19
• Depressive Disorder, Major (therapy)
• Humans
• Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation
• Vagus Nerve (physiology)
• Vagus Nerve Stimulation (methods)