Body of Research

The Psychological Health Center of Excellence of the Defense Health Agency in the Department of Defense has released a Psych Health Evidence Brief on the use of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Although the 2021 brief falls short of recommending VNS for treatment of PTSD, it shows recognition of a treatment approach that is gaining rapid momentum even just since 2020.[1] In fact, transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) is treatment ap...

Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) has been shown to enhance extinction of conditioned fear in rats. Previous findings support this finding. It is hypothesized that this is the result of enhanced consolidation of extinction memories through the promotion of plasticity in related neural pathways. There are other explanations as well. The work supports rapidly expanding research into VNS, both invasive VNS and transcutaneous VNS (which is most often applied at the ear, e.g. transcutaneous auricular ...

The use of auricular methods for application in the field of psychology is supported by research such as the positive treatment results from auricular chromotherapy presented by Alexandre Massao Yoshizumi, MS, Daniel Guillermo Asis, MD, and Fabiola Andrade Luz, PhD. The auricular chromotherapy protocol, a technique developed by Dr. Asis and Dr. Federico Zarragoicoechea (with contributions from Jorge Boucinhas and Rafäel Nogier, MD), shows that simple auricular methods — methods that require l...

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a result of chronic stress that mobilizes  the autonomic nervous system, and may be reflected by chronic disinhibition of limbic structures. Mild traumatic brain injury commonly precedes PTSD in populations such as veterans, owing to the vulnerability of white matter in these networks. Such damage may affect response to treatment of PTSD. The authors evaluated transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulation (tVNS or taVNS), a non-invasive, low-risk neuro-auricul...

The National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA) protocol, developed during an era of surging opiate use and addiction, is known as a cost-effective means to quickly reach and help treat populations that are often considered the most difficult to treat.  This 2016 review by Stuyt & Voyles is drawn from a range of small positive studies that offer testimony, “perhaps more appropriate to the reality of NADA practice today” of effectiveness for supportive intervention. NADA protoco...

The NADA protocol is a nonverbal, evidence-based best practice intervention with immediate calming effects on patients, regardless of the specific substance used, or whether a coexisting psychiatric disorder has been diagnosed. Initial participation with this 5-point protocol improves involvement in the treatment process.  Read more for context and continuing education options for nursing and mental health professionals   Citation: Carter K, Olshan-Perlmutter M. NADA Protocol: Integrative ...