Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Myelopathy

Vagus Nerve Stimulation to Improve Post-operative Outcomes of Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy

The objective of this study is to generate preliminary data to establish the feasibility and effectiveness of transauricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) to improve post-operative outcomes of moderate to severe degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM)

Inclusion Criteria:

• 18 years of age or older
• Moderate or severe degenerative cervical myelopathy according to the mJOA
• Decompression surgery planned

Exclusion Criteria:

• • Pregnancy

  • Electrically active implants (e.g. pacemaker)
  • Known diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, concomitant thoracic and/or lumbar stenosis, spine tumor, HIV-related myelopathy
  • Ongoing cancer therapy
  • Ongoing use of immunomodulating or suppressive medication
  • Sustained bradycardia with a heartrate <50 beats per minute for > 5 minutes following admission.
  • Prior cervical spine surgery