Feasibility of Self-Applied Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy
The purpose of this study is to determine the feasibility of using a portable device at home to self-administer transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS). This handheld device has two small electrodes that are placed on specific areas of the outer ear. This device delivers a mild electrical stimulation to the vagus nerve through the ear. This study will explore how taVNS may affect symptoms of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). Participants will be assigned to one of two cohorts based on the presence of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). Participants with CIPN will be placed in the intervention cohort (n=24) and will complete a 2-week trial of daily self-applied taVNS. Participants without CIPN will be placed in the registry cohort (n=12) and will complete study measurements without receiving the intervention. The registry cohort will not receive the taVNS intervention but will undergo identical physiological assessments at baseline and at a 2 week follow up to control for testing effects and biological variability.
⁃ Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) group:
• Age 18-80 years
• Prior exposure to platinum or taxane chemotherapy
• Glove/stocking dysesthesias ≥3 months that began after neurotoxic chemotherapy
• Worst CIPN-related pain ≥4/10 over the last week
⁃ Registry Cohort:
• Age 18-80 years
• Prior exposure to platinum or taxane chemotherapy
• Denis any current neuropathic symptoms as described above.