Efeitos da estimulação elétrica transcraniana por corrente contínua no córtex pré-frontal dorsolateral ou estimulação não invasiva do nervo vago em indivíduos adultos com estresse crônico

Abstract

Stress is a disorder with great impact on the lives of individuals, affecting a wide spectrum of brain functions, presenting risks for many disorders and/or mental pathologies. However, there is a shortage in effective therapies to alleviate or reverse its dysfunctional effects. This research evaluated the effect of two different stimuli for the treatment of chronic stress: transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and/or noninvasive electrical auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS). To assess chronic stress, the following instruments were used: Semi-structured questionnaire about the sociodemographic profile of the participants, Lipp's Stress Symptoms Inventory (LSSI), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). After the participant scored in the LSSI, phase 2, five points or more, suggesting to be in the resistance phase, that is, the stress already installed and trying organic adaptation, the participant was then invited to perform the intervention/treatment. Being. The tDCS, positioning the anode electrodes over the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and the cathode over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, containing two groups: the true one, applying 2 mA current for 20 minutes, five consecutive daily sessions and the false stimulation, 2mA current applied for only 60 seconds, remaining only the assembly for 20 minutes. The taVNS was also performed in five consecutive daily sessions, containing the false and true stimulation group, the true group applying the current in the left ear shell with a frequency of 10 Hz, and amperage according to the sensitivity of the individual ranging from 0.5 to 24 mA for 20 minutes, and the false stimulus, in which the equipment was programmed to 0 Hz, remaining only the assembly for 20 minutes. All questionnaires were analyzed within 30 days of follow-up. After the statistical analyses, tDCS and taVNS showed potential for stress and sleep management, returning the individual to better quality of health.