Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of Non-Invasive Vagus Nerve Stimulation: A Scoping Review

Kanika  Wadhwa; Anand Kumar  Singh; Ruchir Bhasin  Bhatnagar; Karina  Kapoor; Shalini  Singh; Saurabh  Kumar; Ankush  Sharma

doi:10.18502/jimc.v9i2.21142

Kanika Wadhwa Department of Physiotherapy, Goenka University Gurugram, Haryana, India
Anand Kumar Singh Department of Physiotherapy, Goenka University Gurugram, Haryana, India
Ruchir Bhasin Bhatnagar Department of Physiotherapy, Goenka University Gurugram, Haryana, India
Karina Kapoor Department of Physiotherapy, Goenka University Gurugram, Haryana, India
Shalini Singh Department of Physiotherapy, Goenka University Gurugram, Haryana, India
Saurabh Kumar SGT University, Haryana, India
Ankush Sharma Department of Physiotherapy, Goenka University Gurugram, Haryana, India

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jimc.v9i2.21142

Keywords: Depression, Migraine disorders, Parasympathetic nervous system, Search engine, Stroke rehabilitation, Vagus nerve, Vagus nerve stimulation

Abstract

Background: The vagus nerve, a key element of the parasympathetic nervous system, regulates vital processes such as heart rate, digestion, and immune function. Non-invasive Vagus Nerve Stimulation (nVNS) techniques, including transcutaneous auricular (taVNS) and cervical (tcVNS) methods, have emerged as promising alternatives to invasive stimulation. These approaches show potential in treating neurological, psychiatric, and inflammatory disorders. This scoping review evaluates the therapeutic potential of nVNS, synthesizing evidence on its efficacy, applications, and research gaps. In this scoping review, a systematic literature search was performed in PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar using terms like “non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation”, “taVNS”, and “tcVNS”. Studies exploring nVNS applications in psychiatric, neurological, and inflammatory disorders were included, focusing on clinical outcomes, protocols, and therapeutic impacts. nVNS demonstrates promise in autonomic modulation, reducing symptoms of treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s disease. It also shows potential in managing migraines, cluster headaches, and aiding post-stroke rehabilitation. However, variability in study designs and stimulation protocols limits definitive conclusions.

Non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation is a promising non-pharmacological therapy with diverse applications. Standardized large-scale clinical trials are required to optimize stimulation parameters, ensure long-term safety, and develop robust therapeutic guidelines.