BackgroundTranscutaneous electrostimulation of the auricular branch of the vagal nerve (taVNS) has the propensity to reach diffuse neuromodulatory networks, which are dysfunctional in Parkinson's disease (PD). Previous studies support the use of taVNS as an add‐on treatment for gait in PD.ObjectivesWe assessed the effect of taVNS at 25 Hz (taVNS25), taVNS at 100 Hz (taVNS100), and sham earlobe stimulation (sVNS) on levodopa responsive (arm swing velocity, arm range of motion, stride length, gait speed) and non‐responsive gait characteristics (arm range of motion asymmetry, anticipatory postural adjustment [APA] duration, APA first step duration, APA first step range of motion), and turns (first turn duration, double 360° turn duration, steps per turn) in advanced PD.MethodsIn our double blind sham controlled within‐subject randomized trial, we included 30 PD patients (modified Hoehn and Yahr stage, 2.5–4) to assess the effect of taVNS25, taVNS100, and sVNS on gait characteristics measured with inertial motion sensors during the instrumented stand and walk test and a double 360° turn. Separate generalized mixed models were built for each gait characteristic.ResultsDuring taVNS100 compared to sVNS arm swing velocity (P = 0.030) and stride length increased (P = 0.027), and APA duration decreased (P = 0.050). During taVNS25 compared to sVNS stride length (P = 0.024) and gait speed (P = 0.021) increased and double 360° turn duration decreased (P = 0.039).ConclusionsWe have found that taVNS has a frequency specific propensity to improve stride length, arm swing velocity, and gait speed and double 360° turn duration in PD patients. © 2024 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

中文翻译：

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25 Hz 和 100 Hz 的 taVNS 对帕金森病步态的影响——一项随机运动传感器研究


背景迷走神经耳支（taVNS）的经皮电刺激有可能到达弥散性神经调节网络，而帕金森病（PD）中该神经调节网络功能失调。先前的研究支持使用 taVNS 作为 PD 步态的附加治疗。 目的我们评估了 25 Hz 的 taVNS (taVNS25)、100 Hz 的 taVNS (taVNS100) 和假耳垂刺激 (sVNS) 对左旋多巴反应的影响。手臂摆动速度、手臂运动范围、步幅长度、步态速度）和无反应步态特征（手臂运动范围不对称、预期姿势调整 [APA] 持续时间、APA 第一步持续时间、APA 第一步运动范围），以及晚期 PD 中的转数（首转持续时间、双 360° 转持续时间、每转步数）。方法在我们的双盲假对照受试者内随机试验中，我们纳入了 30 名 PD 患者（改良 Hoehn 和 Yahr 分期，2.5-4）进行评估在仪器化站立和步行测试以及双 360° 转弯期间，使用惯性运动传感器测量 taVNS25、taVNS100 和 SVNS 对步态特征的影响。为每个步态特征建立单独的广义混合模型。结果在taVNS100期间，与sVNS相比，手臂摆动速度（P = 0.030）和步幅长度增加（P = 0.027），并且APA持续时间减少（P = 0.050）。在 taVNS25 期间，与 sVNS 相比，步幅长度 (P = 0.024) 和步态速度 (P = 0.021) 增加，双 360° 转身持续时间减少 (P = 0.039)。结论我们发现，taVNS 具有改善步长、手臂的频率特定倾向。 PD 患者的摆动速度、步态速度和双 360° 转身持续时间。 © 2024 作者。 《运动障碍》由 Wiley periodicals LLC 代表国际帕金森和运动障碍协会出版。