tVNS During Motor Training in Older Adults

The participants will be randomly assigned to a tVNS or control group. They will visit the lab for four sessions. The main motor task is to trace target trajectories with finger forces. As the pre- and post-tests, all participants will be tested on a force tracing motor task with the left hand. There will be no electrical stimulation during the tests. During the training sessions, all participants will wear surface electrodes on the outer ear. The attachment sites are the tragus or cymba concha (depending on the shape and size of the ear) for the tVNS group and the earlobe for the sham group. The participants will perform finger training to trace target trajectories with their left finger forces. Participants in the tVNS and sham group will receive tVNS and sham stimulation, respectively, after successful finger trials.

Inclusion criteria

• 65-84 years old across all races, genders, and ethnicities.
• Physically and cognitively healthy

Exclusion criteria

• Younger than 65 years old or older than 84 years old
• Current or history of cardiac disease
• Have an implanted device such as a neurostimulator or cochlear implant
• Current or history of tympanic membrane perforation
• Have a musculoskeletal issue that prevents hand function (e.g., arthritis)
• Have a vision problem not corrected by glasses or contact lenses
• Uncorrected auditory impairments
• Had a stroke or lesion (including tumor) in the brain
• Had a head injury or brain surgery
• Suffer from frequent or severe headaches
• Had a fainting spell or syncope
• Have any metal in the head such as shrapnel, surgical clips, or fragments from welding or metal work
• Have any implanted device such as cardiac pacemakers, medical pumps, or intracardiac lines
• Had any brain-related conditions (i.e. multiple sclerosis, Parkinson, Alzheimer)
• Had any illness that caused brain injury (i.e. meningitis, aneurysm, brain tumor)
• Had any head trauma that was associated with a loss of consciousness or diagnosed as a concussion
• Being treated for any psychiatric condition (i.e. depression, anxiety, PTSD, schizophrenia)
• Suspected of pregnancy
• Pregnant
• Cognitive status issues as confirmed with the Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE <26)
• Musculoskeletal condition or injury that would limit hand range of motion