Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation (tVNS) for Improved Recovery After Exertion.

Widespread infection with SARS-CoV-2 has resulted in millions of people having Post-COVID. Post-COVID is a complex, non-monolithic disease with diverse clinical manifestations. Symptoms range from fatigue, brain fog, muscle aches and shortness of breath, affecting multiple organ systems simultaneously. To directly address this multi-organ component of Post-COVID, innovative treatment methods are urgently needed. One potential treatment that we will investigate in our study, is the intervention via the vagus nerve, as the cranial nerve plays a central role in communication between the body and the brain and influences targeted behavior. This innovative approach is based on our clinically relevant findings regarding the effects where acute tVNS increased the level of effort (Neuser et al., 2020; Ferstl et al., 2021), specifically targeting a key symptom of Post-COVID. In the proposed study, the investigators aim to investigate the effectiveness of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) as a non-invasive, self-administered treatment for Post-COVID symptoms at home. To evaluate the clinically relevant effects of repeated taVNS application (high-intensity stimulation), the investigators will employ a randomized cross-over design to investigate stimulation-induced changes in fatigue, depression and motivation to work for reward compared to low-intensity stimulation and to a control group.