The effects of transcutaneous auricular vagal nerve stimulation on cognition in healthy individuals: A meta-analysis
Author: Caitlin Ridgewell1, Kristin J Heaton1, Audrey Hildebrandt1, Jessica Couse1, Tania Leeder1, William H Neumeier1
Affiliation:
1 Military Performance Division, United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine.
Conference/Journal: Neuropsychology
Date published: 2021 May 1
Other:
Volume ID: 35 , Issue ID: 4 , Pages: 352-365 , Special Notes: doi: 10.1037/neu0000735. , Word Count: 181
Objective:
Transcutaneous auricular vagal nerve stimulation (taVNS) may benefit cognition in healthy adults but may differentially affect specific domains of cognitive function. Currently, optimal stimulation parameters of taVNS have yet to be identified and the overall effectiveness of this approach remains unclear.
Method:
A literature review and random effects meta-analysis evaluated the effects of taVNS on cognitive performance outcomes across domains of function and outcome metrics (accuracy and response times). Subgroup meta-analyses and meta-regression models explored the moderating effects of stimulation parameters on performance outcomes.
Results:
Meta-analyses on 19 eligible studies indicated a weighted effect size of 0.21 for the effect of taVNS on overall cognitive performance, with significant effects on measures of executive function and measures of accuracy. Parameter meta-analyses indicated that stimulation site was most associated with improvements in executive function (gtragus = 2.39, gcymba concha = 0.48; Q = 39.84, p < .0001; β = -2.33, p = .03).
Conclusions:
taVNS may improve cognition, particularly executive function, and stimulation parameters may differentially influence outcomes. Continued research into the effects of taVNS as well as optimal stimulation parameters will be beneficial. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
PMID: 34043386 DOI: 10.1037/neu0000735
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