Study on the effect of auricular vagus nerve stimulation on pre-competition anxiety state of athletes
Objective To observing the effect of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation(taVNS)on the pre-competition anxiety state and sport performance of athletes.Methods Fifty-five long jumpers who reached the criterion of Grade-2 athletes from Chengdu Sport University were selected.They were divided into a treatment group(n=29)and a control group(n=26)by using random number table method.The treatment group underwent taVNS treatment and the control group underwent sham-taVNS treatment.Then the score of Hamilton anxiety scale(HAMA)and Self-rating anxiety scale(SAS)were used to measure the anxiety level of the two groups before and after treatment.The worst,average and the most excellent results of long jump during competition were compared between the two groups.Results After taVNS treatment,the effective rate of the treatment group was higher than that of the control group(P<0.05).The HAMA and SAS in both groups were lower than before treatment,and the treatment group was lower than the control group(P<0.05).The lowest and average scores of the treatment group was higher than before treatment,and the treatment group was better than the control group(P<0.05).There was no significant difference of the most excellent long jump results between the two groups.Conclusions taVNS could significantly improve the pre-competition anxiety state of long jumpers who have pre-competition anxiety.Therefore,it can further improve their competitive state.