Effect of Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation (taVNS) on Inhibitory Control as a Function of Motor Task Complexity

Abstract

This study examines the effects of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) on inhibitory control during motor tasks of varying complexity. Motor task complexity was manipulated in a Simon task using two approaches: movement complexity, contrasting a simple lifting action with a more complex reaching action; and movement type selection, contrasting both actions performed either in separate blocks or intermixed within the same block (non-active vs. active conditions).