The Effects of Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation in a Young Adult with Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Case Report

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this case report is to investigate the effect of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation on pain, menstrual symptoms, depression and anxiety in a young adult with Primary Dysmenorrhea. Method: On the first day of the patient's first menstrual cycle, pain intensity was evaluated with "Visual Analog Scale (VAS)", pain threshold was evaluated with "pressure algometer", depression level was evaluated with "Beck Depression Inventory", anxiety level was evaluated with "Beck Anxiety Inventory", and menstrual symptoms were evaluated with the "Menstrual Symptom Scale". 10 sessions of vagus nerve stimulation were applied to the patient from the 14th day of the menstrual cycle to the second menstrual cycle. After the applications, the patient was re-evaluated on the most painful day of the second menstrual cycle. Results: After the intervention, a decrease in menstrual pain severity, an increase in pain threshold values, a decrease in depression and anxiety levels, and a decrease in the severity of menstrual symptoms were observed. Conclusion: In individuals with Primary Dysmenorrhea, vagus nerve stimulation can be effective in relieving pain and associated symptoms.

Keywords

• Primary dysmenorrhea
• transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation
• pain

Primer Dismenore’li Bir Genç Yetişkinde Transkütanöz Auriküler Vagus Sinir Stimülasyonunun Etkileri: Bir Olgu Sunumu

Abstract

Amaç: Bu olgu sunumunun amacı Primer Dismenore’li bir genç yetişkinde transkütanöz auriküler vagus sinir stimülasyonunun ağrı, menstrüal semptomlar, depresyon ve anksiyete üzerine etkisinin araştırılmasıdır. Yöntem: Olgunun, ilk menstrüal siklusunun 1. gününde, ağrı şiddeti “Visüel Analog Skala (VAS)”, ağrı eşiği “basınç algometresi”, depresyon düzeyi “Beck Depresyon Envanteri”, anksiyete düzeyi “Beck Anksiyete Envanteri”, menstrüal semptomları da “Menstrüal Belirti Ölçeği” ile değerlendirildi. Olguya menstrüal siklusun 14. gününden ikinci menstrüal siklusa kadar 10 seans vagus sinir stimülasyonu uygulandı. Uygulamalardan sonra ikinci menstrüal siklusun en ağrılı gününde olgu tekrar değerlendirildi. Bulgular: Müdahale sonrası olgunun menstrüal ağrı şiddetinde azalma, ağrı eşiği değerlerinde artma, depresyon ve anksiyete düzeylerinde azalma ve menstrüal belirtilerinin şiddetinde azalma görüldü. Sonuç: Primer Dismenore’li bireylerde vagal sinir stimülasyonu ağrı ve ilişkili belirtileri iyileştirmede etkili olabilir.

Keywords

• Primer dismenore
• transkütanöz auriküler vagus sinir stimülasyonu
• ağrı

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