image: The top left of the image displays the international standard auricular acupuncture points. The middle top part highlights the main auricular points stimulated by taVNS, including the heart, liver, and spleen points. The top right diagram shows the distribution of nerves in the ear: green indicates the vagus nerve, red indicates the auriculo-temporal nerve, yellow indicates the greater auricular nerve, and blue indicates the lesser occipital nerve. The bottom part of the image represents the areas affected by auricular-vagus nerve stimulation, including the heart, lungs, liver, pancreas, gastrointestinal system, and spleen.
Credit: Yu-zheng-heng Zhang, et al.
Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) has been recognized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an effective alternative therapy for a wide range of diseases. However, its widespread application is hampered by various issues, including high surgical risks and the long-term presence of a foreign body within the patient.
Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) is a non-invasive, low-cost method that combines principles from vagus nerve stimulation and traditional Chinese medicine's auricular acupoint theory. It aims to replace surgically implanted vagus nerve stimulation in the treatment of disease. Unlike traditional acupuncture, taVNS can be self-administered wherever possible, making it highly accessible and non-invasive.
Now, a team of researchers from China detailed the foundational research progress and clinical applications of taVNS in a commentary published in the World Journal of Acupuncture-Moxibustion.
“Compared with other auricular points, taVNS can regulate internal organ function by stimulating specific points on the ear. Initially used as an alternative therapy for epilepsy, taVNS has been extended to treat central nervous system disorders, cardiovascular diseases, digestive system diseases, and endocrine system disorders,” explains the study's senior author, Shao-yuan Li, an associate researcher at the Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences.
TaVNS has shown significant effects in various body systems. It has effective in reducing depression scores and treating conditions such as migraines, anxiety, cognitive disorders, Parkinson’s disease, and cognitive decline. Additionally, it has demonstrated benefits for the cardiovascular system by lowering blood pressure and heart rate, treating arrhythmias and myocardial infarction, and alleviating cardiac insufficiency and heart failure. Furthermore, it has proven effective for treating functional gastrointestinal diseases, glucose-lipid metabolism disorders, endotoxemia, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, as well as comorbid chronic diseases with depression.
“In recent years, clinical research on taVNS has provided substantial evidence for its application, facilitating its transition from the laboratory to medical practice and expanding into areas such as sleep disorders, cognitive impairments, and neurodegenerative diseases,” adds Li. “Since 2000, there has been a steady increase in taVNS-related publications and achievements, with a significant contribution from China.”
According to Pei-jing Rong, lead investigator of the study, this is an excellent treatment in neural regulation therapy. “Technological advancements have made taVNS devices more accessible for patients. To anticipate taVNS being applied in more areas and offer personalized and effective treatment options in the whole world, we are promoting the progress of International Organization for Standardization (ISO) development”
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Contact the author: Shao-yuan LI, Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China, 704488328@qq.com.
Pei-jing RONG, Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China, drrongpj@163.com.
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Journal
World Journal of Acupuncture - Moxibustion
Method of Research
Commentary/editorial
Subject of Research
Not applicable
Article Title
Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation: clinical applications and mechanisms
COI Statement
The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.