Effects of Trancutaneous Auriculotemporal Nerve Stimulation

Neuromodulation works by either actively stimulating nerves, causing the alteration or modulation of nerve activity by delivering electrical agents directly to a target area. Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation is a noninvasive therapy that has demonstrated positive effects in a wide range of conditions. The auricular branch of the vagus nerve is stimulated by electrical pulses in the skin of the ear (cymba conchae). Knowledge about the effects of trigeminal nerve stimulation has increased considerably in recent decades, demonstrating great potential as a therapeutic tool. However, to date, no studies have evaluated the effects of transcutaneous auriculotemporal nerve stimulation (tANS). Therefore, the aim of this study will be to compare the effects of two types of tANS on nociceptive processing in asymptomatic volunteers.