Application of Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation in Post-Stroke Dysfunction
Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation(taVNS)has been proved to activate the vagus nerve projections in the central nervous system,which is similar to the invasive vagus nerve stimulation method,and thereby reduces the adverse reac-tions caused by surgery and produces similar or even greater clinical efficacy compared to the invasive vagal nerve stimulation.In recent years,researches on taVNS for stroke has been increasing,which have indicated that taVNS has certain therapeutic effects on motor sensation,swallowing,speech,cognition,consciousness,and other functional disorders.Most research has focused on taVNS'impact on upper limb motor function after stroke,while some other studies targeting consciousness and swallowing impairments.However,there is limited research on taVNS for post-stroke speech and cognitive impairments,as well as post-stroke depression.taVNS has shown promising efficacy whether applied before or simultaneously with other rehabilitation treatments.Further research is needed to determine the optimal parameters.The mechanism by which taVNS promotes functional recovery after stroke is not yet fully understood.The mechanisms suggested by existing research include improving cortical excitability and increasing cortical plas-ticity,reducing damage to nerve cells and blood-brain barrier through increasing the secretion of neurotrophic factors and inhibiting neuroinflammation,and promoting nerve repair and vascular regeneration.Current researches indicate that taVNS as an adjuvant therapy for post-stroke rehabilitation is safe and feasible,with only mild adverse reactions.The dosages tested in studies conducted so far have demonstrated good tolerability.In the future,we need to conduct more in-depth high-level research to confirm its efficacy and reveal its more precise mechanism.
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