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tVNS and Obesity-related Mechanisms
Sponsor: University of Bonn
Summary
The overarching goal of the project is to assess whether transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation (tVNS) induced reduction of central and peripheral inflammation is associated with tVNS induced changes in mood and motivation in a sample of healthy participants with overweight and obesity.
Official title: tVNS to Provide Mechanistic Insights Into the Relationship Between Systemic Inflammation and Altered Motivation and Mood in Healthy Individuals Who Are Overweight or Obese
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - 40 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
60
Start Date
2025-04-08
Completion Date
2027-03-31
Last Updated
2025-05-02
Healthy Volunteers
Yes
Interventions
Transcutaneous non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS)
To stimulate vagal afferents, the electrode will be placed at the cymba conchae of the right ear using a previously established conventional stimulation protocol (30 s ON, 30s OFF, 25 Hz frequency, 250 µs pulse widths; tVNS R device, tVNS Technologies GmbH, Erlangen, Germany). Stimulation intensity will be pre-set for each participant for the following stimulation period to correspond to a mild pricking sensation determined with a staircase procedure in the lab session.
Low intensity stimulation
The electrode will be placed at the cymba conchae, but only receive a low-intensity stimulation below the perception threshold (0.1mA, 1s ON, 30s OFF, 1 Hz frequency, 250 µs pulse widths; tVNS R device, tVNS Technologies GmbH, Erlangen, Germany).
Locations (1)
Section of Medical Psychology, Department of Psychiatry & Psychotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bonn
Bonn, Germany