Assessing the Feasibility and Acceptability of Using Non-Invasive Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation (taVNS) to Reduce PTSD Symptoms in WTC Responders

Details

• Personal Author:
  Schwartz R ; Zanos T
• Description:
  This study investigated the feasibility and acceptability of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS). This noninvasive neurostimulation technique delivers electrical pulses via the cymba conchae region of the ear to help reduce post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms among World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP) responders. Participants were placed in treatment (n = 20) and sham (n = 7) groups and underwent daily 15-minute treatment sessions for eight weeks. The stimulation group used a handheld device that stimulated the auricular branch of the vagus nerve, while the sham group received a similar device without active stimulation. The study found that daily taVNS was a feasible and acceptable intervention for WTC responders. Participants were eligible for the study based on elevated PTSD symptoms on specific screening test scores. Of those eligible, 65.3% enrolled in the study and completed the necessary steps to fit the device and take baseline measurements. The study had a 90.6% retention rate, meaning that most participants remained in the study, and participants used the device about 80% as instructed. Feedback about the device's usability and comfort was generally positive, with 98.5% of participants expressing satisfaction in the follow-up questionnaire. The study readily met our feasibility and acceptability goals. The preliminary effectiveness of the treatment was measured by comparing mental health scores before and after the study. In the treatment group, 40% of participants saw an improvement in their PTSD symptoms, compared to 28.5% in the sham group. On average, the treatment group also showed more reductions in specific areas, including intrusions, thoughts and mood, and arousal symptoms. However, there were no significant changes in biological markers. These results suggest that taVNS could be a promising, easy-to-use treatment option for PTSD. Optimal and personalized stimulation parameters can be investigated to improve therapeutic efficacy, as well as treat other mental health disorders. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Electrical Equipment And Supplies Emergency Responders Feasibility Studies Mental Health Nervous System Occupational Health Safety September 11 Terrorist Attacks
• Keywords:
  Electronic Devices Feasibility Assessment First Responders Mental Health Nerve Function Nerves Post-traumatic Stress Disorder PTSD World Trade Center WTC
• Series:
  Grant Final Reports
• Publisher:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Cooperative Agreement
• Genre:
  Final Cooperative Agreement Report
• Place as Subject:
  New York ; New York City Region [OSHA]
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  OEP - Office of Extramural Programs
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  1-13
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20070791
• Citation:
  Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, U01-OH-012050, 2024 Oct; :1-13
• Email:
  Rschwartz3@northwell.edu
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2025
• Performing Organization:
  Feinstein Institute for Medical Research
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Start Date:
  20210701
• Source Full Name:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• End Date:
  20230630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:2043d32d92994934d62bddbf830c3a098568b850a011a8d8fc6401b4ea104b6d8dc4cfccb02d079372521a974c5b41a4b0eea0989e7567a9c4c2098aae6b4ceb
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/219280/cdc_219280_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 1.24 MB ]