Comparing heart rate variability measured on the chest versus the arms during vagus nerve stimulation

Comparison of Heart Rate Variability Measurement on the Arm and Chest in Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation

This trial tests whether heart rate variability readings differ when measured on the chest, right arm, or left arm in healthy adults during bilateral transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation.

Quick facts

• Phase: NA
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 39 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 45 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Bahçeşehir University (other)
• Locations: 1 site (Trabzon, Ortahisar)
• Trial ID: NCT07000175 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

Healthy participants aged about 18–45 are randomized into three groups to receive a single 20-minute session of bilateral transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation with identical stimulation settings. Heart rate variability (HRV) will be recorded before and after stimulation from the chest in one group, the right arm in a second group, and the left arm in a third group. Time-domain and frequency-domain HRV parameters will be compared between groups to determine site-related differences in measurement. The protocol excludes people with acute or chronic disease, smokers or regular alcohol users, those on regular medication, and anyone with prior neuromodulation exposure.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Healthy adults (about 18–45 years old) who can read and write Turkish, have no acute or chronic disease, do not smoke or regularly use alcohol, are not on regular medications, and have no prior neuromodulation exposure are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: People with acute or chronic medical conditions, smokers or regular alcohol users, those taking regular medications, individuals with prior neuromodulation, or those seeking therapeutic benefit are unlikely to gain benefit from participation.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the results could identify the most reliable measurement site for HRV during tVNS and improve consistency of physiological monitoring across research and clinical settings.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research shows transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation can change HRV, but direct comparisons of HRV recording locations (chest versus right or left arm) are limited and relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* 18 years of age or older
* To know how to read and write Turkish
* Not having any acute or chronic disease

Exclusion Criteria:

* Previous application of any neuromodulation method
* Smoking or alcohol use
* Use of any supplementary medication

Where this trial is running

Trabzon, Ortahisar

• Avrasya University Physical Therapy Laboratory — Trabzon, Ortahisar, Turkey (Türkiye) (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Alper Percin, Ph.D.

Conditions: Sympathetic, Imbalance, Heart Rates, Vagus Nerves