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on-Invasive Stimulation in individuals with Chronic Stress

Phase 1
Conditions
Acute stress reaction
Sleep disorders
Registration Number
RBR-4s4kt2r
Lead Sponsor
niversidade Federal de Alfenas
Brief Summary

Introduction: Chronic stress is a condition characterized by prolonged stimulation, leading to mental and physical weakness. May have harmful effects on mental health and cognitive function of individuals, potentially causing various health problems problems. Objective: This article explores the potential of non-invasive neuromodulation techniques, specifically transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) in the management of chronic stress and improving sleep quality. Methods: The study conducted a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial with participants in chronic stress situations. In total, 100 participants were randomly assigned to either the anodic tDCS group or the sham tDCS group, or taVNS group or sham taVNS group, which received 20-min tDCS sessions over DLPFC (2 mA; n = 50) or taVNS on the left ear (20Hz; n=50), or sham treatments. Stress, perceived stress and sleep quality were assessed at baseline, after the intervention, and four weeks after the intervention. Results: The tDCS and taVNS interventions resulted in stress reduction levels, improved sleep quality and enhanced perception of stress. Conclusions: These findings suggest that tDCS and taVNS are promising as effective treatments for chronic stress, offering a safe and affordable approach to improve the well-being of individuals and overall quality of life.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
Data analysis completed
Sex
Not specified
Target Recruitment
Not specified
Inclusion Criteria

Individuals diagnosed with stress; Lipp Adult Stress Symptom Inventory (ISSL) score greater than 4; cognitive ability to read and interpret the purpose of the research and answer the assessment instruments; and acknowledgment and approval of the informed consent form; male or female volunteers aged between 20 and 50 years

Exclusion Criteria

Smokers; with a history of dizziness or seizure; pregnancy; signs of severity and/or indications for hospitalization or psychotherapy; use of anxiolytics; use of antidepressants; adverse effects detected in the group treated with tDCS and taVNS, including itching, tingling, headache, burning sensation and discomfort; diagnosis of depression; anxiety diagnosis; mood disorder bipolar with depressive, manic or hypomanic symptoms in the last year; schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders; autism; dependency of substances; diagnosis of epilepsy or use of anticonvulsants; contraindications for TDCS (metallic implants, tumor, brain surgeries previous, important cranioencephalic anatomical alteration); contraindications for non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation (cochlear implant, ear plastic surgery, ear malformation); starting and/or changing the dose of psychopharmaceuticals in the last three months

Study & Design

Study Type
Intervention
Study Design
Not specified
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Secondary Outcome Measures
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