tVNS intervention for high-altitude insomnia: A randomized controlled trial

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Created On: 18/09/2023

To explore the safety and efficacy of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) for improving insomnia in individuals living in cities or places with high altitudes.

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Key take away

Among individuals with insomnia at high-altitude locations, the consistent application of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation not only effectively regulates sleep patterns but also yields notable improvements in anxiety levels.

Background

To explore the safety and efficacy of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) for improving insomnia in individuals living in cities or places with high altitudes.

Method

Overall, 100 patients experiencing insomnia at high altitudes were divided into 3 groups: the cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBTI) group receiving CBTI, the sham group receiving pseudo-stimulation intervention, and the treatment group receiving tVNS intervention in the left ear tragus.

In this randomized controlled trial, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score was the major endpoint. Additionally, objective sleep status was assessed using polysomnography and alterations in the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) and Insomnia Severity Index Scale (ISI) scores were also determined. For analysis, one-way ANOVA and repeated-measures ANOVA were employed.

Result

Following a 4-week tVNS treatment, the patients showed significant reductions in PSQI, ISI, and GAD-7 scale scores, surpassing those observed in the control group. Moreover, polysomnographic data indicated shorter sleep latency and increased duration of deep sleep in the treated subjects. No detrimental outcomes were observed among patients subjected to the tVNS intervention.

Conclusion

tVNS exhibits effectiveness in enhancing sleep quality and minimizing anxiety in individuals grappling with high-altitude insomnia. However, further comprehensive and extended trials are required to validate these findings and inform their potential clinical application.