Examining Transcutaneous Vagal Nerve Stimulation as a Facilitator of Social Bonding

Completed

Brief Summary: This study aims to understand the role of the vagus nerve in promoting social bonding by using a non-invasive stimulation technique called transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulation (tVNS). The investigators will investigate whether tVNS can improve emotional, physiological, and behavioral experiences during and after social interactions. Couples will be randomly assigned to receive either tVNS or a sham stimulation during gratitude expression and problem-solving discussions. The investigators will measure their subjective evaluations of the interactions and capture their physiological and behavioral synchrony. This research will shed light on the processes involved in social connection and explore the potential of tVNS as a tool to enhance bonding in close relationships.

Detailed Description: As fundamental as the need to belong is to human survival and functioning, decades of research have shown that social connection is critical to emotional well-being. The current investigation seeks to use the knowledge and technological advances in the biomedical field to examine the causal role of the vagus nerve in promoting social bonding. Specifically, building on the recent evidence suggesting the effects of transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulation (tVNS) on improving social cognitive functioning, this study will examine the utility of tVNS in modulating emotional, physiological, and behavioral experiences during and after social interactions. The investigators will examine if romantic couple assigned to receive tVNS vs. active sham stimulation during two types of conversations (i.e., gratitude expression and problem-solving discussion) show differences in their experiences of the interactions. The study outcomes will include subjective evaluations of the interaction (e.g., felt emotions) and their physiological synchrony. This investigation will provide insights into the mechanistic processes that undergird social connection and, importantly, be the first to examine the potential utility of tVNS as an intervention tool for promoting social bonding within close relationships.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria

Exclusion Criteria

Major chronic disease. self-reported autoimmune disease; severe asthma; lung disease (such as chronic bronchitis; history of stroke, heart attack, epilepsy, brain injury); cardiovascular disease.
Cancer: if not in remission.
Substance dependence-current or long history (5 years of more).
Current psychiatric diagnosis that is not being treated with medication
Confounding medications, including those used to treat hypertension and cardiovascular conditions; psychoactive substances; and medications known to directly affect autonomic functioning.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Self-reported Positive Affect	Once, self-reported in a survey immediately following conflict interaction, up to 10 minutes	During the conversation, overall, I felt... (1: not at all positive, 7: extremely positive)
Self-reported Negative Affect	Once, self-reported in a survey immediately following conflict interaction, up to 10 minutes	During the conversation, overall, I felt... (1: not at all negative, 7: extremely negative)
Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia	Continuously throughout conflict conversation	RSA was assessed continuously throughout the conversation.
Interbeat Interval	Continuously throughout the conflict conversation	IBI was assessed continuously throughout the conversation.