Low-Frequency Ultrasonic Stimulation May Help Balance Autonomic Nervous System
Source: Neuromodulation : journal of the International Neuromodulation Society
Summary
This study looked at a new way to stimulate nerves without touching the skin, using sound waves. Researchers focused on the median and ulnar nerves in 24 healthy adults. They tested different frequencies of stimulation—low and high—along with a placebo (no real stimulation) to see how these affected the autonomic nervous system (ANS), which controls automatic body functions like heart rate.
The key finding was that low-frequency stimulation increased a measure of parasympathetic activity, which helps the body relax, while high-frequency stimulation affected other brain areas but did not improve heart rate variability. Specifically, low-frequency stimulation showed significant effects on brain regions linked to the ANS, indicating that this method could effectively influence how the body manages stress and relaxation.
This research is important because it suggests a new, non-invasive way to help balance the autonomic nervous system, which could benefit people with conditions like epilepsy, anxiety, or heart issues. However, the study was small, and more research is needed to understand the best ways to use this technique in clinical settings and to see how it might help people with specific health problems.
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