Stimulating Your Nervous System for Calm (SYNC) Study

Summary

The goal of this feasibility clinical trial is to learn whether a two-week program involving gentle stimulation of the vagus nerve at the ear (taVNS) is practical and acceptable for healthy young adults. The study will also evaluate whether collecting information about heart rate patterns and well-being is feasible during the program. If this study is feasible and acceptable, the research team will conduct a larger study to see if taVNS alone or in combination with listening to audio instructions is helpful for individuals in terms of mental and physical health.

Eligibility

Age range

18–29 years

Sex

All

Healthy volunteers

Yes

Interventions

• Device
  taVNS

  This study will use the commercially available taVNS device from Parasym (referred to as Auricular Vagal Nerve Treatment (AVNT) device in research contexts and as Nuropod commercially in the United States), a noninvasive external ear stimulation device that delivers low-level electrical stimulation to the auricular branch of the vagus nerve. For those in the taVNS condition, mild electrical impulses at controlled low voltages using a biocompatible reusable electrode will be administered. Participants will come to the lab 5 days/week for 2 weeks (10 sessions) and receive 30 minutes of taVNS.

• Behavioral
  Mindfulness Meditation

  For those in the mindfulness meditation (MM) conditions, participants will be presented with an 10- to 15-minute MM audio recording designed to deliver mindfulness training from the Mindfulness Coach app developed by the Veteran Affairs' National Center for PTSD. MM will be delivered in the first 10-15 minutes of each 30-minute taVNS (or sham taVNS) session.

• Other
  sham taVNS

  This study will use the commercially available taVNS device from Parasym (referred to as Auricular Vagal Nerve Treatment (AVNT) device in research contexts and as Nuropod commercially in the United States), a noninvasive external ear stimulation device that delivers low-level electrical stimulation to the auricular branch of the vagus nerve. For those in the sham taVNS condition, a biocompatible reusable electrode will be placed on participant's triages, but no electrical stimulation will be applied. Participants will come to the lab 5 days/week for 2 weeks (10 sessions) and receive 30 minutes of sham taVNS.

Location