Role of Vagus Nerve Stimulation in the Treatment of Chronic Pain

Peiqi Shao; Huili Li; Jia Jiang; Yun Guan; Xueming Chen; Yun Wang

doi:10.1159/000531626

Role of Vagus Nerve Stimulation in the Treatment of Chronic Pain

Neuroimmunomodulation. 2023;30(1):167-183. doi: 10.1159/000531626. Epub 2023 Jun 27.

Authors

Peiqi Shao^{1

2}, Huili Li¹, Jia Jiang², Yun Guan³, Xueming Chen⁴, Yun Wang^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Anesthesiology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
² Department of Anesthesiology, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
³ Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
⁴ Department of Orthopedics, Beijing Luhe Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.

Abstract

Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) can modulate vagal activity and neuro-immune communication. Human and animal studies have provided growing evidence that VNS can produce analgesic effects in addition to alleviating refractory epilepsy and depression. The vagus nerve (VN) projects to many brain regions related to pain processing, which can be affected by VNS. In addition to neural regulation, the anti-inflammatory property of VNS may also contribute to its pain-inhibitory effects. To date, both invasive and noninvasive VNS devices have been developed, with noninvasive devices including transcutaneous stimulation of auricular VN or carotid VN that are undergoing many clinical trials for chronic pain treatment. This review aimed to provide an update on both preclinical and clinical studies of VNS in the management for chronic pain, including fibromyalgia, abdominal pain, and headaches. We further discuss potential underlying mechanisms for VNS to inhibit chronic pain.

Keywords: Analgesia; Chronic pain; Electric stimulation; Neuromodulation; Vagus nerve.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Brain
Chronic Pain* / therapy
Headache / therapy
Humans
Pain Management
Vagus Nerve Stimulation*

Grants and funding

This work was supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (81771181, 81571065, 82171217); the Beijing Natural Science Foundation (7202053).