Long-term Effects of Transcutaneous Vagal Nerve Stimulation on Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) (VAG-POTS)
Orthostatic Intolerance, Postural Tachycardia Syndrome, Syncope, Postural
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Orthostatic Intolerance focused on measuring Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, Vagal stimulation, Heart Rate
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Clinical diagnosis of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome
- Older than 18 years
Exclusion Criteria:
- Dysautonomias other than POTS
- Neurodegenerative diseases
- History/family history of seizures
- Atrial fibrillation and other relevant cardiac rhythm disturbances
- Chronic inflammatory diseases
- Chronic use on anti-inflammatory drugs
- Diabetes
- Other neurological or psychiatric diseases
- Pacemakers or other electronic implants inserted into the body
- Coronary disorders
- Elevated intracranial blood pressure
- Assumption of drugs facilitating seizures
- Assumption ofpsychiatric drugs
- Alcohol abuse
Sites / Locations
- Humanitas Research HospitalRecruiting
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Experimental
Transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulation (tVNS)
After positioning the tVNS electrodes in the right ear but without delivering tVNS (Sham tVNS), above mentioned signals will be recorded for 10 minutes while supine, for 15 minutes during 75° head-up tilt. The same protocol will be performed during active tVNS. The tVNS will be performed while 15 minutes in supine position and during 75°head-up Tilt. Thereafter, every patient will be provided with a Nemos© device and electrodes for home daily stimulation. Daily stimulation will consist of 4 hours of stimulation organized as 4 sessions each lasting 1 hour, to be applied at the patient's convenience.