Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research (대한의용생체공학회:의공학회지)

The Korean Society of Medical and Biological Engineering (대한의용생체공학회)
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Effects of Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation on the Activity of Autonomic Nervous System and Postprandial Blood Glucose Levels

경피적 귀 미주신경 자극이 자율신경계의 활동 및 식후 혈당 변화에 미치는 영향

  • Hana, Lee (Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yonsei University) ;
  • Hyun, Kim (Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yonsei University) ;
  • Doyong, Kim (Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yonsei University) ;
  • Minjoo, Lee (Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yonsei University) ;
  • Seungkwan, Cho (GFY Inc.) ;
  • Han Sung, Kim (Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yonsei University)
  • Received : 2023.01.16
  • Accepted : 2023.01.25
  • Published : 2023.02.28
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Abstract

Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) is known to be effective in improving symptoms of numerous diseases such as depression and epilepsy by increasing vagus nerve activity through electrical stimulation. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of vagus nerve stimulation on the activity of autonomic nervous system and the changes in postprandial blood glucose levels. Seven healthy adults participated in a non-invasive transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation experiment. taVNS (25 Hz, 200 ㎲, biphasic pulse) was applied to the cymba concha (taVNS group) or the earlobe (Sham-taVNS group) of the left ear. As autonomic nervous system signals, skin conductance level, skin temperature, and heart rate were recorded during the application of taVNS. Postprandial blood glucose changes due to food intake were recorded at 5 min intervals for 25 minutes after taVNS or sham-taVNS. The taVNS showed a significantly lower skin conductance level than the shamtaVNS (p < 0.05). The increase rate of postprandial blood glucose was significantly lower in the taVNS than in the sham-taVNS (p < 0.05). These results showed that taVNS reduced the activity of the sympathetic nerve system and alleviated early rise in postprandial blood glucose. Although further studies in diabetic patients are needed, this study suggest that taVNS has a potential for clinical use to improve postprandial blood glucose.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

이 성과는 정부(과학기술정보통신부)의 재원으로 한국연구재단의 지원을 받아 수행된 연구임(No. NRF-2021R1A2C2093828).

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