Short sleep duration and poor sleep quality are common in the general population. This study tested if a 2-week course of daily transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulation (tVNS) improves sleep in community-dwelling adults. Participants were n = 68 men and women aged 18-75 years randomised into four groups: early and sham tVNS and late and sham tVNS. Early groups underwent daily 4 h stimulation between Day 0 and 13, while late groups underwent daily 4 h stimulation between Day 14 and 28. tVNS was performed with transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on the left tragus, and sham tVNS (control conditions) was applied on the left earlobe. Sleep was measured with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Analysis of prespecified contrasts (C), based on linear mixed modelling, revealed that for tVNS there were significant improvements in global sleep scores over time between Day 0 and Day 13 in the early stimulation phase (C = -1.90; 95% CI = -2.87 to -0.94), and between Day 14 and Day 28 in the late phase (C = -0.87; 95% CI = -1.41 to -0.32). No such differences were found under sham tVNS (applied early or late). However, global sleep scores showed no significant improvement under tVNS when compared against control groups during both the early (χ2 = 0.83, p = 0.36), or late stimulation phase (χ2 = 0.24, p = 0.63). We showed that two weeks of tVNS improves global sleep scores, but the change in sleep was not significantly different to control groups. Further studies are warranted to test the utility of tVNS in alleviating sleep complains in community-dwelling adults.

• MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• nervus vagus fyziologie   MeSH
• samostatný způsob života MeSH
• spánek MeSH
• transkutánní elektrická neurostimulace * MeSH
• vagová stimulace * MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• randomizované kontrolované studie MeSH

Given its non-invasive nature, there is increasing interest in the use of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) across basic, translational and clinical research. Contemporaneously, tVNS can be achieved by stimulating either the auricular branch or the cervical bundle of the vagus nerve, referred to as transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation(VNS) and transcutaneous cervical VNS, respectively. In order to advance the field in a systematic manner, studies using these technologies need to adequately report sufficient methodological detail to enable comparison of results between studies, replication of studies, as well as enhancing study participant safety. We systematically reviewed the existing tVNS literature to evaluate current reporting practices. Based on this review, and consensus among participating authors, we propose a set of minimal reporting items to guide future tVNS studies. The suggested items address specific technical aspects of the device and stimulation parameters. We also cover general recommendations including inclusion and exclusion criteria for participants, outcome parameters and the detailed reporting of side effects. Furthermore, we review strategies used to identify the optimal stimulation parameters for a given research setting and summarize ongoing developments in animal research with potential implications for the application of tVNS in humans. Finally, we discuss the potential of tVNS in future research as well as the associated challenges across several disciplines in research and clinical practice.

• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH

Background Increased vagal modulation is a mechanism that may partially explain the protective effect of healthy lifestyles. However, it is unclear how healthy lifestyles relate to vagal regulation longitudinally. We prospectively examined associations between a comprehensive measure of 4 important lifestyle factors and vagal modulation, indexed by heart rate variability (HRV) over 10 years. Methods and Results The fifth (1997-1999), seventh (2002-2004), and ninth (2007-2009) phases of the UK Whitehall II cohort were analyzed. Analytical samples ranged from 2059 to 3333 (mean age: 55.7 years). A healthy lifestyle score was derived by giving participants 1 point for each healthy factor: physically active, not smoking, moderate alcohol consumption, and healthy body mass index. Two vagally mediated HRV measures were used: high-frequency HRV and root mean square of successive differences of normal-to-normal R-R intervals. Cross-sectionally, a positively graded association was observed between the healthy lifestyle score and HRV at baseline (Poverall≤0.001). Differences in HRV according to the healthy lifestyle score remained relatively stable over time. Compared with participants who hardly ever adhered to healthy lifestyles, those with consistent healthy lifestyles displayed higher high-frequency HRV (β=0.23; 95% CI, 0.10-0.35; P=0.001) and higher root mean square of successive differences of normal-to-normal R-R intervals (β=0.15; 95% CI, 0.07-0.22; P≤0.001) at follow-up after covariate adjustment. These differences in high-frequency HRV and root mean square of successive differences of normal-to-normal R-R intervals are equivalent to ≈6 to 20 years differences in chronological age. Compared with participants who reduced their healthy lifestyle scores, those with stable scores displayed higher subsequent high-frequency HRV (β=0.24; 95% CI, 0.01-0.48; P=0.046) and higher root mean square of successive differences of normal-to-normal R-R intervals (β=0.15; 95% CI, 0.01-0.29; P=0.042). Conclusions Maintaining healthy lifestyles is positively associated with cardiac vagal functioning, and these beneficial adaptations may be lost if not sustained.

• MeSH
• časové faktory MeSH
• chování snižující riziko * MeSH
• cvičení MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• hodnocení rizik MeSH
• index tělesné hmotnosti MeSH
• kardiovaskulární nemoci epidemiologie   patofyziologie   prevence a kontrola   MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• nekuřáci MeSH
• nervus vagus patofyziologie   MeSH
• ochranné faktory MeSH
• pití alkoholu epidemiologie   MeSH
• prospektivní studie MeSH
• rizikové faktory MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• srdce inervace   MeSH
• srdeční frekvence * MeSH
• zdravotní stav MeSH
• zdravý životní styl * MeSH
• zvyky MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Londýn MeSH

BACKGROUND: Type-D personality, defined as a combination of high negative affect and high social isolation, has been associated with poor health outcomes. However, pathways underlying this association are largely unknown. We investigated the relationship between Type-D personality and several biological and behavioral pathways including the autonomic nervous system, the immune system, glucose regulation and sleep in a large, apparently healthy sample. METHODS: Data from a total of 646 respondents (age 41.6±11.5, 12,2% women) were available for analysis. Persons with Type-D (negative affect and social isolation score ≥10) were contrasted with those without Type-D. Measures of plasma fibrinogen levels, white blood cell count, high sensitivity C-reactive protein, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), cholesterol, high-density and low-density lipoprotein, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), creatinine, triglycerides, and albumin were derived from fasting blood samples. Urine norepinephrine and free cortisol were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. Time-domain heart rate variability (HRV) measures were calculated for the 24hr recording period and for nighttime separately. RESULTS: Persons with Type-D had higher HbA1c, FPG, and fibrinogen, and lower nighttime HRV than those without Type-D, suggesting worse glycemic control, systemic inflammation and poorer autonomic nervous system modulation in Type-D persons. In addition, those with Type-D reported less social support and greater sleep difficulties while no group differences were observed for alcohol and cigarette consumption, physical activity and body mass index. CONCLUSIONS: Findings provide some of the first evidence for multiple possible biological and behavioral pathways between Type-D personality and increased morbidity and mortality.

• MeSH
• autonomní nervový systém fyziologie   MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• glukosa metabolismus   MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• osobnost typu D * MeSH
• průřezové studie MeSH
• spánek MeSH
• zdravé chování MeSH
• zdraví * MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

BACKGROUND: No study to date has investigated longitudinal trajectories of cardiac autonomic modulation changes with aging; therefore, we lack evidence showing whether these changes occur naturally or are secondary to disease or medication use. This study tested whether heart rate variability (HRV) trajectories from middle to older age are largely normative or caused by pathological changes with aging in a large prospective cohort. We further assessed whether HRV changes were modified by socioeconomic status, ethnicity, or habitual physical activity. METHODS AND RESULTS: This study involved 3176 men and 1238 women initially aged 44 to 69 years (1997-1999) from the UK Whitehall II population-based cohort. We evaluated time- and frequency-domain HRV measures of short-term recordings at 3 time points over a 10-year period. Random mixed models with time-varying covariates were applied. Cross-sectionally, HRV measures were lower for men than for women, for participants with cardiometabolic conditions, and for participants reporting use of medications other than beta blockers. Longitudinally, HRV measures decreased significantly with aging in both sexes, with faster decline in younger age groups. HRV trajectories were not explained by increased prevalence of cardiometabolic problems and/or medication use. In women, cardiometabolic problems were associated with faster decline in the standard deviation of all intervals between R waves with normal-to-normal conduction, in low-frequency HRV, and in low-frequency HRV in normalized units. Socioeconomic status, ethnicity, and habitual physical activity did not have significant effects on HRV trajectories. CONCLUSIONS: Our investigation showed a general pattern and timing of changes in indices of cardiac autonomic modulation from middle to older age. These changes seem likely to reflect the normal aging process rather than being secondary to cardiometabolic problems and medication use.

• MeSH
• autonomní nervový systém fyziologie   MeSH
• cvičení MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• etnicita MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• longitudinální studie MeSH
• prospektivní studie MeSH
• rizikové faktory MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• socioekonomické faktory MeSH
• srdce inervace   MeSH
• srdeční frekvence * MeSH
• stárnutí * MeSH
• věkové faktory MeSH
• zdravotní stav MeSH
• zvyky MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Londýn MeSH

We examined the relationship between unemployment and heart rate variability (HRV) in a region of high unemployment in the Czech Republic. The study involved 21 involuntarily unemployed and 21 employed men and women aged 30-49 years, matched on number of potentially confounding factors, including age, gender, type of job, health related behavior and body mass index. HRV was assessed in response to a modified orthostatic test. Compared with the employed group, unemployed participants had decreased high frequency HRV (p=0.018), lower root mean square of successive differences (p=0.050), and lower total spectral variability (p=0.022). These findings suggest that unemployment is a potential chronic stressor that may lead to suppression of vagal activity. This may be one mechanism linking unemployment with cardiovascular disease risk.

• MeSH
• autonomní nervový systém fyziologie   MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• index tělesné hmotnosti MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• nezaměstnanost * MeSH
• sexuální faktory MeSH
• srdeční frekvence fyziologie   MeSH
• věkové faktory MeSH
• zdravé chování MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH