A Novel Earable Platform for Vagal Activation Monitoring during Transcutaneous Auricular Vagal Nerve Stimulation using Heart Rate Variability Analysis

The Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) is a crucial component of human physiology, governing vital functions through its sympathetic and parasympathetic branches. The Vagus Nerve, a primary conduit of parasympathetic communication, has profound impacts on heart rate, digestion, and inflammation, with significant clinical implications for conditions like anxiety, depression, epilepsy, and chronic pain. Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS), especially noninvasive transcutaneous auricular VNS (taVNS), has shown promise in treating these conditions. However, standardized stimulation parameters remain elusive. This study investigates the effects of taVNS following physiological stress induced by a cold pressor test, using heart rate variability (HRV) metrics derived from ECG signals to quantify ANS perturbations and taVNS effects. Our findings highlight significant modulation of ANS activity, demonstrating the efficacy of taVNS in enhancing parasympathetic activity.