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

We may share de-identified data with other researchers, including mJOA and NDI, along with the amount of stimulation that was administered.

From enrollment with no specific end date.

Researchers will be other staff and faculty of Washington University Neurosurgery Dept. They will not have access to PHI. The data will be stored in REDCap and will not be accessible without permission. A username and password will be required, along with the permission