The effect of auricular vagus nerve stimulation on electroencephalography and electromyography measurements in healthy persons.

Auricular vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is a non-invasive treatment
modality. Opinions that it can be used in the treatment of various clinical problems
have gained importance in recent years. In this study, it was aimed to lay the
groundwork for the use of the auricular VNS in different ears.
Methods: Healthy individuals (n = 90) were divided into three groups: unilateral
left (n = 30), unilateral right (n = 30), and bilateral (n = 30) auricular VNS.
Electroencephalography (EEG) and electromyography (EMG) measurements
were performed before and after auricular VNS (10 Hz, 300 μs, 20 min) for a
single session.
Results: An increase in wrist extensor muscles activation was detected on the
contralateral side of the auricular VNS application side. It has been observed that
there is a general decrease in the power of high-frequency waves and an increase
in the power of lower-medium frequency waves in various parts of the brain.
Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the projection of the auricular VNS in the
central nervous system may also affect the corticospinal tracts.