The Effects of taVNS on Inhibitory Control

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Healthy
• Interventions: Device: Sham stimulation via earlobe; Device: Vagus nerve stimulation via tragus

• Registration Number: NCT05468385
• Lead Sponsor: University of Electronic Science and Technology of China

Brief Summary

The main aim of the study is to investigate whether the transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation(tVNS) improves the ability of inhibitory control in an emotional Go-Nogo task.

Detailed Description

A randomized, sham-controlled, between-subject design will be employed in this study. A total of 87 healthy subjects will receive either transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation via tragus or sham stimulation via the earlobe in the left ear. Brain activity and behavioral data for an emotional Go-Nogo task will be recorded and saliva samples will be collected before, during, and after stimulation.

Some personal traits will be assessed using different kinds of questionnaires, such as the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Beck's Depression Inventory(BDI), Autism Spectrum Quotient (ASQ) et al.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2022-05-01
• Study First Submitted: 2022-07-15
• Study First Submitted QC: 2022-07-18
• Primary Completion: 2022-07-20
• Study First Posted: 2022-07-21
• Study Completion: 2022-08-05
• Status Verified: 2023-12
• Last Update Submitted: 2023-12-11
• Last Update Posted: 2023-12-13

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 90

Inclusion Criteria

• Healthy subjects without past or current psychiatric or neurological disorders

Exclusion Criteria

• history of head injury;
• pregnant, menstruating, taking oral contraceptives;
• medical or psychiatric illness.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Sham stimulation	Sham stimulation via earlobe	Sham stimulation via earlobe
Tragus stimulation	Vagus nerve stimulation via tragus	Vagus nerve stimulation via tragus

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
The ability of inhibitory control in an emotional Go-Nogo task	After 30 minutes stimulation	Analysis the behavioral and brain data recorded during the task
Oxytocin release	within 5 minutes after taVNS via tragus and earlobe	Investigating the oxytocin release after taVNS via tragus and earlobe based on saliva samples

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Electronic Science and Technology of China; 🇨🇳 Chengdu, Sichuan, China