COMPARE THE EFFECT OF TRANSCUTANEOUS VAGUS NERVE STIMULATION (TVNS) VERSUS NON-INVASIVE VAGUS NERVE STIMULATION (NVNS) ON PAIN REDUCTION AND QUALITY OF LIFE (QOL) IN MIGRAINE PATIENTS: A RANDOMIZED CONTROL TRIAL
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.71000/8vgsdz80Keywords:
Migraine, non-invasive Vagus Nerve Stimulation, Quality of Life, Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation.Abstract
Background: Migraine is a severe, debilitating neurological disorder commonly known for its recurring episodes of head pain. It usually affects daily functioning and mental well-being. Universally, migraine is considered as one of the chief causes of disability especially among the population under the age of 50 year, with prominent social, financial, and personal outcomes.
Objective: To assess the comparative effectiveness of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) versus non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation (nVNS) on pain and quality of life (QOL) in patients of migraine without aura.
Methodology: A randomized controlled trial included 28 patients divided into two groups: tVNS (auricular branch via TENS) and nVNS (cervical via VNS device). Pain intensity was quantified using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), while headache-related disability and influence on daily life were measured using the Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) and Headache influence Test (HIT-6), respectively. Using SPSS version 25, the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test was used for within-group comparisons and the Mann-Whitney U test for between-group differences when comparing scores before and after treatment.
Results: Both groups experienced significant improvements in all three outcomes after intervention (VAS, HIT-6, and MIDAS; p<0.001). The tVNS group had a higher reduction in VAS (median pre=8.00, post=5.00, p<0.001) and HIT-6 scores (pre=61.50, post=51.00, p<0.001) than the nVNS group (VAS post=7.00, p<0.01; HIT-6 post=55.50, p<0.001). A between-group study indicated significant improvement in VAS (p=0.050) and HIT-6 (p=0.030), with the tVNS group outperforming. However, no significant change was seen in MIDAS (p=0.140).
Conclusion: Both tVNS and nVNS treatments were successful in lowering migraine impairment and symptoms. But tVNS was more successful in lowering the severity of the pain and the impact of headaches on daily living.
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