The Effect of Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation and Controlled Breathing Exercises on Performance and Autonomic Nervous System

Bahçeşehir University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Physical Activity; Health People; Vagus Nerve Stimulations; Autonomic Nerveus System

Treatments: Other: Controlled breathing exercises; Device: Vagus Nerve Stimulation

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06796101

ODRP-2025

Details and patient eligibility

About

There are many studies in the literature on transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) and controlled breathing exercises (CBE), but there are limited studies examining the effects of both interventions on performance and the autonomic nervous system.

The investigators aim to contribute to the literature by examining the effects of VNS and CBE on performance and the autonomic nervous system in moderately physically active individuals and their superiority over each other.

Full description

The sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions of the autonomic nervous system affect the function of many organs, glands, and involuntary muscles in the body. The sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems often play opposing roles in the body, one is suppressed when the other increases activity. With the beginning of exercise or sports activity, sympathetic activity in the body increases and after a certain period reaches a plateau value at maximum activity. With the end of sports activity, the suppressed parasympathetic activity increases, and the sympathetic system returns to its resting state over time.

Low sympathetic activity and/or high parasympathetic activity and low heart rate before training or exercise can be considered as performance indicators. It also indicates that recovery from the previous training or exercise is adequate. Parasympathetic system activation continues for up to 48 hours after exercise. If the exercise is intense and persistent, parasympathetic system activity can last up to 72 hours. In addition, due to the increase in anaerobic respiratory rate during exercise, there may be decreases in parasympathetic reactivation.

Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) can affect cardiovascular parameters both at rest and during exercise. VNS improves autonomic modulation and positively reduces pain and fatigue associated with cycling exercise. On the other hand, VNS is particularly useful in reducing pain and fatigue during and after competition.

Slow breathing modulates the activity of the vagus nerve. Controlled breathing exercises (CBE) directly affect the respiratory rate, which can lead to faster physiological and psychological calming effects by increasing vagal tone during slow expiration. CBE increase heart rate variability in healthy participants.

The investigators aim to contribute to the literature by examining the effects of VNS and CBE on performance and the autonomic nervous system in moderately physically active individuals and their superiority over each other.

Enrollment: 64 patients

Sex: Male

Ages: 18 to 35 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Individuals with a moderate level of physical activity according to the International Physical Activity Scale
• No orthopedic obstacle to exertion
• Being male

Exclusion criteria

• Having any active or chronic disease
• Having cooperation problems
• Using regular medication for any chronic condition within the last year
• Being a smoker
• Having had heart surgery
• Having had surgery on the respiratory system

Trial design

Primary purpose: Supportive Care

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

---

64 participants in 2 patient groups

Transcutaneus vagus nerve stimulation

Experimental group

Description:

This group will receive Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation from bilateral ear for two weeks, 10 sessions.

Treatment:

Device: Vagus Nerve Stimulation

Controlled breathing exercise group

Experimental group

Description:

Controlled breathing exercises include thoracic expansion exercises, Nadi Shodhana Pranayama, Bhramari Pranayama, Kapalabhati and Physiological-sighing exercises.

Treatment:

Other: Controlled breathing exercises