Scroll down for a brief video explaining the importance of this study. This randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) on patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The primary outcome measure was the Montreal
This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of TAVNS for migraine, or transcutaneous stimulation of the auricular branch of the vagal nerve (t-VNS) in treating chronic migraine. Patients were randomized to receive either 25 Hz or 1 Hz
Manual acupuncture for migraine This is from the British Medical Acupuncture Society Blog. It is from 2020 but very pertinent today! I love the tone of this blog. Lighthearted but fervent! A large portion of my practice is devoted to acupuncture
Migraine is a condition I treat frequently in the clinic. This review article goes into the different mechanisms that account for acupuncture’s often dramatic results. The studies suggest that it can affects neuropeptides, immune cells, proinflammatory and excitatory neurotransmitters, and
There was no difference between the acupuncture and fremanezumab in the reduction of monthly migraine rates. Think about that! This is an injectable, expensive drug that you would need to take for a long time. I would venture to guess
I’ve been looking at vagal activity with ear stimulation, or transcutaneous auricular vagal nerve stimulation (TAVNS)in the clinic for several years. As readers know, acupuncture calms the stress response by increasing vagal activity. TAVNS should increase vagal activity also. If
One of the mail goals of my practice is to improve patients’ autonomic balance and increase vagal activity. I firmly believe if we can encourage vagal activity, we will see benefits to mood, immunity, pain all of which leads to
I’ve been alerted to ever more mention of the vagus nerve in the popular press. I’ve been interested in the vagus nerve and parasympathetic activity for longer than I choose to admit. That is why I measure Heart Rate Variability
This study is relevant because of the RAVANs technology that synchronizes TAVNS with expiration. In these authors study they use 100Hz which may nor may not be optimal, just as tragus and cavum concha may not be optimal. But nonetheless,
I am extremely excited by this study. Not only does it validate my approach of using heart rate variability at the bedside, but it also suggests new modalities to use the acupuncture meridian system without needling. If nothing else, I
