Transdermal auricular vagus stimulation for the treatment of postural tachycardia syndrome.
Auton Neurosci 2021;
236:102886. [PMID:
34634682 DOI:
10.1016/j.autneu.2021.102886]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) is a chronic disorder characterized by symptoms of orthostatic intolerance such as fatigue, lightheadedness, dizziness, palpitations, dyspnea, chest discomfort and remarkable tachycardia upon standing. Non-invasive transdermal vagal stimulators have been applied for the treatment of epilepsy, anxiety, depression, headache, and chronic pain syndromes. Anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating effects after transdermal vagal stimulation raised interest for applications in other diseases. Patients with sympathetic overactivity, reduced cardiac vagal drive and presence of systemic inflammation like POTS may benefit from tVNS. This article will address crucial methodological aspects of tVNS and provide preliminary results of its acute and chronic use in POTS, with regards to its potential effectiveness on autonomic symptoms reduction and heart rate modulation.
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