Effects of a single session of noninvasive auricular vagus nerve stimulation on sports performance in elite athletes: an open-label randomized controlled trial

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objectives The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of noninvasive auricular vagus nerve stimulation (AVNS) on sports performance. Methods The intervention group (n = 30) received a single session of AVNS, while the control group (n = 30) received a single session of sham AVNS. Pre- and post-treatment isometric quadriceps muscle strength, heart rate, lower extremity balance, and grip strength were measured. Results It was ascertained that the differences in heart rate (−0.73 pulse/min, p = 0.032) and modified Star Balance Test scores (anterior 2.72 cm, p = 0.000, posterolateral 3.65 cm, p = 0.000 and posteromedial 2.43 cm, p = 0.000) before and after AVNS were significant in subjects in the experimental group. The results of the one-way ANOVA analysis show that the differences obtained in all measurement parameters are not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Considering the partial eta squared (η2) obtained from the measurements, a small descriptive effect in favor of experimental group was obtained for the quadriceps strength (0.016) and anterior balance (0.054) measurements. Conclusion This study demonstrates that a single AVNS session compared to sham AVNS shows a modest benefit though not statistically significant improvement in athletic performance. Single-use of AVNS seems not effective in improving athletic performance. Clinical trial registration www.clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT05436821.