TaVNS Application Timing During Robotic Sensorimotor Task

In the researchers' words

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) in enhancing sensorimotor learning and adaptation. This study will focus on healthy individuals performing a robotic sensorimotor task. Main Questions it Aims to Answer: How does taVNS, with different timing protocols, affect the feasibility and effectiveness of performing a robotic sensorimotor task? What is the impact of taVNS on sensorimotor learning and adaptation? Participants Will: Be pseudo-randomly assigned to one of five experimental groups with different taVNS stimulation timings. Perform a sensorimotor task multiple times across sessions, spanning a maximum of two weeks or until achieving 70% accuracy in two successive sessions. Have kinematic data collected by a robot during the task. Have physiological data measured using external sensors. Fill out questionnaires about the feasibility of taVNS and other subjective measures after each session. Comparison Group: Researchers will compare the four experimental groups to each other to see if different taVNS stimulation timings affect sensorimotor learning outcomes, as well as to a control group that will receive no stimulation.