Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation (tVNS) and Stress Regulation During Performance Tasks
University of Florida
Summary
This study examines how individuals respond to performance-related tasks and whether a non-invasive ear stimulation device influences stress responses during those tasks. Participants will be randomly assigned to use either an active or inactive (placebo) version of a transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) device during a laboratory session. The study includes two task conditions. In one condition, participants will prepare a brief speech under evaluative conditions designed to induce stress. In the other condition, participants will complete a non-evaluative writing task. During the session, participants will wear a heart rate monitor and complete short questionnaires assessing their current feelings, including state anxiety. The primary objective is to determine whether active tVNS is associated with lower state anxiety during a performance-related stress task compared to placebo stimulation. Secondary outcomes include heart rate and task-related responses. The study will also examine whether individual differences in stress reactivity influence responses to stimulation. Participation involves one laboratory session lasting approximately 45 minutes.
Description
This study is a laboratory-based, randomized, double-blind experiment designed to examine whether non-invasive transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) influences state anxiety and physiological arousal during performance-related stress. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of four conditions in a 2 × 2 between-subjects factorial design: Device Condition: Active tVNS Placebo (inactive) tVNS Task Condition: Stress Task (Modified Trier Social Stress Test speech preparation) Control Task (Non-evaluative writing task) The device condition is double blind. Half of the devices…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: \- Adults aged 18 to 65 years Fluent in English Able to provide informed consent Able to complete study procedures during a single laboratory session Exclusion Criteria: \- History of neurological or psychiatric disorders Cardiovascular disease or uncontrolled hypertension Implanted electrical devices (e.g., pacemaker) Current pregnancy Contraindications to transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) Current use of medications that significantly affect autonomic nervous system functioning
Interventions
- DeviceTranscutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation (tVNS)
Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation delivered via an auricular stimulation device. Participants receive either active stimulation or sham stimulation depending on random assignment
- BehavioralEvaluative Stress Task
Participants complete either an evaluative stress-induction task involving social evaluation or a non-evaluative control task. Task condition is assigned as part of the factorial design.
Location
- University of FloridaGainesville, Florida