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Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation effects on inflammatory markers and clinical evolution of patients with COVID-19: a pilot randomized clinical trial.
Uehara, Laura; Corrêa, João Carlos Ferrari; Ritti, Raphael; Leite, Paulo; de Faria, Deivide Rafael Gomes; Pacheco-Barrios, Kevin; Castelo-Branco, Luis; Fregni, Felipe; Corrêa, Fernanda Ishida.
  • Uehara L; Rehabilitation Sciences, Nove de Julho University, São Paulo, Brazil.
  • Corrêa JCF; Rehabilitation Sciences, Nove de Julho University, São Paulo, Brazil.
  • Ritti R; Rehabilitation Sciences, Nove de Julho University, São Paulo, Brazil.
  • Leite P; Rehabilitation Sciences, Nove de Julho University, São Paulo, Brazil.
  • de Faria DRG; Rehabilitation Sciences, Nove de Julho University, São Paulo, Brazil.
  • Pacheco-Barrios K; Harvard Medical School, Neuromodulation Center and Center for Clinical Research Learning, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Mass, USA.
  • Castelo-Branco L; Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola, Vicerrectorado de Investigación, Unidad de Investigación para la Generación y Síntesis de Evidencias en Salud, Lima, Peru.
  • Fregni F; Harvard Medical School, Neuromodulation Center and Center for Clinical Research Learning, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Mass, USA.
  • Corrêa FI; Harvard Medical School, Neuromodulation Center and Center for Clinical Research Learning, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Mass, USA.
Expert Rev Med Devices ; 19(11): 915-920, 2022 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2187593
ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the effects of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) on inflammatory markers and clinical outcomes in patients with COVID-19.

METHODS:

A randomized blinded pilot study was carried out with 21 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19 who received 14 sessions of active (a-taVNS) or sham taVNS (s-taVNS). The level of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10), cortisol, and C-reactive protein (CRP) in plasma and clinical evolution pre- and post-intervention were evaluated. The memory and attention levels were evaluated 14 days after the end of the treatment.

RESULTS:

After treatment, significant intragroup differences were found in the CRP (p = 0.01), IL-6 (p = 0.01), and cortisol (p = 0.01) levels; however, in the comparison between the groups, only the CRP level was statistically lower for the a-taVNS (p = 0.04). The impression of improvement in memory and attention was greater in the a-taVNS than in the s-taVNS (p = 0.01, p = 0.04, respectively). There was no difference between the other clinical outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS:

taVNS is a viable and safe intervention in the acute care of patients with COVID-19, which can modulate their inflammatory profile and improve cognitive symptoms. However, improvements in overall clinical outcomes were not detected. Larger sample sizes and longer follow-ups are needed to confirm the anti-inflammatory and clinical effects of taVNS in patients with COVID-19. TRIALS REGISTRY The Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (RBR-399t4g5).
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation / Vagus Nerve Stimulation / COVID-19 Type of study: Experimental Studies / Prognostic study / Randomized controlled trials Topics: Long Covid Limits: Humans Language: English Journal: Expert Rev Med Devices Journal subject: Diagnostic Imaging / Therapeutics Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: 17434440.2022.2154147

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation / Vagus Nerve Stimulation / COVID-19 Type of study: Experimental Studies / Prognostic study / Randomized controlled trials Topics: Long Covid Limits: Humans Language: English Journal: Expert Rev Med Devices Journal subject: Diagnostic Imaging / Therapeutics Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: 17434440.2022.2154147