• Chen Cheng, Xinxin Xue, Yunyun Jiao, Rui You, Mengkai Zhang, Mengnan Jia, Mengyu Du, Xiao Zeng, Jin-Bo Sun, Wei Qin, and Xue-Juan Yang.
• Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710126, China; Intelligent Non-invasive Neuromodulation Technology and Transformation Joint Laboratory, Xidian University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710126, China.
• Neuroscience. 2024 Dec 22.

BackgroundIn the face of inevitable declines in alertness and fatigue resulting from sleep deprivation, effective countermeasures are essential for maintaining performance. External trigeminal nerve stimulation (eTNS) presents a potential avenue for regulating alertness by activating the locus coeruleus and reticular activating system.MethodsHere, we conducted a within-subject study with 66 habitual nappers, subjecting them to afternoon nap-deprivation and applying either 20-minute of 120 Hz eTNS or sham stimulation. We compared participants' performance in PVT and N-back tasks, subjective fatigue level and alertness ratings, and changes in heart rate variability, cortisol, and salivary alpha-amylase before and after stimulation.ResultsThe results revealed a significant decline in PVT and N-back tasks performance, along with increased subjective fatigue levels in the sham stimulation group. In contrast, the eTNS stimulation group maintained behavioral performance, with lower post-stimulation fatigue levels than sham group. After stimulation, the eTNS group exhibited decreased mean R-R interval and elevated LF/HF ratios, i.e., a shift in autonomic nervous system activity towards sympathetic dominance, and a significant reduction in cortisol levels, indicating a state of relaxation alleviating drowsiness.ConclusionThese findings suggested that 120 Hz eTNS stimulation might induce a relaxing effect, and thereby alleviate fatigue while preserving alertness and cognitive performance.Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc.

6 keywords...

hide…