Stimulating Compassion UsingTranscutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation

TVNS is a non-invasive counterpart to surgical methods for stimulating the vagus. For the active condition, stimulator electrodes deliver a mild electrical current to the tragus. Stimulation parameters: stimulation of left tragus via two gold-plated electrodes, attached by ear-clip. Waveform: rectangular, frequency: 20 Hz, pulse width: 0.2 ms, individually adjusted intensity based on participant's perceptual threshold.

Self-compassion imagery is both a meditative technique and a component of compassion-focused cognitive therapy. Here, self-compassionate imagery is delivered as standardized audio-recorded instructions.

TVNS is a non-invasive counterpart to surgical methods for stimulating the vagus. For the sham condition, stimulator electrodes deliver a mild electrical current to the earlobe. Stimulation parameters: stimulation of left earlobe via two gold-plated electrodes, attached by ear-clip. Waveform: rectangular, frequency: 20 Hz, pulse width: 0.2 ms, individually adjusted intensity based on participant's perceptual threshold.

Draw-a-face-in-imagination is the sham/ control imagery condition. Here, control imagery instructions are delivered as a standardized audio-recording, well-matched to self-compassion imagery for number of words, complexity of language, and duration of the audio instructions.