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…