BACKGROUND Studies have found that pairing vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) with motor activity accelerates cortical reorganization. This synchronous pairing may enhance motor recovery. OBJECTIVE To develop and validate a motor-activated auricular vagus nerve stimulation (MAAVNS) system as a potential neurorehabilitation tool. METHODS We created MAAVNS and validated its function as part of an ongoing clinical trial investigating whether taVNS-paired rehabilitation enhances oromotor learning. We compared 3 different MAAVNS EMG electrode configurations in 3 neonates. The active lead was placed over the buccinator muscle. Reference lead placements were orbital, temporal or frontal. RESULTS The frontal reference lead produced the highest sensitivity (0.87 ± 0.07 (n = 8)) and specificity (0.64 ± 0.13 (n = 8)). Oral sucking reliably triggers MAAVNS stimulation with high confidence. CONCLUSION EMG electrodes placed on target orofacial muscles can effectively trigger taVNS stimuli in infants in a closed loop fashion.

中文翻译：

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用于神经康复的闭环运动激活耳部迷走神经刺激 (MAAVNS) 系统的设计和验证

背景研究发现，将迷走神经刺激 (VNS) 与运动活动相结合可加速皮层重组。这种同步配对可以增强运动恢复。目标开发和验证运动激活的耳部迷走神经刺激 (MAAVNS) 系统作为潜在的神经康复工具。方法 我们创建了 MAAVNS 并验证了其功能，作为正在进行的临床试验的一部分，该试验研究了 tavns 配对康复是否增强了口运动学习。我们在 3 名新生儿中比较了 3 种不同的 MAAVNS EMG 电极配置。主动导线放置在颊肌上。参考引线放置位置为眶部、颞部或额部。结果 正面参考导联产生最高的灵敏度 (0.87 ± 0.07 (n = 8)) 和特异性 (0.64 ± 0.13 (n = 8))。口腔吸吮可靠地触发了 MAAVNS 刺激。结论 放置在目标口面部肌肉上的 EMG 电极可以以闭环方式有效地触发婴儿的 tavns 刺激。