Therapeutic application of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation in primary insomnia

Abstract

Sleep can be considered a highly complex autonomic function. Various conditions disrupting the autonomic nervous system greatly affect sleep and vice versa. Several new brain stimulation methods have become noteworthy therapeutic alternatives to treat various mental disorders. Results from several studies have suggested that vagus nerve stimulation could improve both the clinical symptoms of depression and have an effect on the sleep-wake cycle and sleep microarchitecture. Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation is known to be a safe and highly tolerable method and may be a potential alternative treatment for individuals with insomnia. Further studies are needed to determine the potential of this neuromodulation technique for the treatment of insomnia disorders and to elucidate the physiological mechanisms associated with its purported therapeutic effects.