Assessment of the impact of neuromobilization and transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation on vagus nerve function

Background
The autonomic nervous system (ANS) regulates bodily functions through two primary branches: sympathetic and parasympathetic. ANS activity is assessed by measuring heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV). The vagus nerve (VN), a component of the parasympathetic nervous system, modulates these parameters. Techniques such as transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) and manual neuromobilization may influence HR and HRV.

Aims
This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of taVNS and neuromobilization of the vagus nerve and their effects on HR and VN activity, expressed through HRV parameters.

Material and methods
Thirty-five healthy individuals were divided into two groups. One session included taVNS (15 minutes using TENS current at 300 µs pulse duration and 100 Hz frequency) and neuromobilization (5 minutes involving head maneuvers, cervical spine manipulation, and abdominal movements). In the subsequent session, the order of techniques was reversed. HR and HRV were measured using the Polar H10 chest strap and the EliteHRV application.

Results
Both techniques significantly affected HR and various HRV parameters. TaVNS, whether applied first or second, had a statistically significant impact on individual HR and HRV variables. Similarly, neuromobilization, when applied first, significantly altered HR and specific HRV variables; comparable results were observed when neuromobilization was performed second.

Conclusions
Both taVNS and neuromobilization influence HR and HRV. Further studies are need- ed to confirm these findings and establish the clinical applicability of both techniques for therapeutic management of health disorders.