Effect of (TaVNS) on Anxiety and Brain Function in Distressed Health Care Workers

The intervention administered is the TaVNS program and the fMRI scans to evaluate changes in the brain. The TaVNS program consists of placing ear buds from the device into each ear. They are initially sprayed once with a small amount of saline that is also provided as part of the TaVNS materials. Once the ear buds are placed in each ear, the test subject will start a preprogramed session of vibrations that will stimulate the vagus nerve. The session will last for 15 minutes and then the subject will take the ear buds out and clean them. They will use the TaVNS program once a day for 3 months.

Baseline imaging and follow up imaging for comparison to the TaVNS health device group at approximately 3 months. The TaVNS intervention is offered after completion of the imaging.

fMRI Imaging to evaluate the effects of the functional changes that may occur in the brain while using the TaVNS device during one fMRI session.

Subgroup II of 10 subjects with distress(all receiving TaVNS) will undergo fMRI scans with the TaVNS system being turned on and off while in the scanner to observe for any immediate effects and to evaluate the effects of the functional changes that may occur in the brain while using the TaVNS device during one fMRI session.