Treatment With Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation in Rheumatoid Arthritis - the TRAVAGA Study

TRAVAGUS is a portable electrical vagus nerve stimulator device that non-invasively activates the auricular branch of the vagus nerve in the left ear. The system consists of two units, the electrical stimulator and the ear electrodes that are mounted in a headset. The electrical signals are delivered transcutaneously to the ear via two separate cables connected to two aluminium electrodes. There is no need for electrode gel application on the auricular skin, since the conductivity of the two metallic electrodes is fully sufficient for functional electrical contact. The device is powered by 4 x 1,5V AAA batteries. The electrical source is a CE-marked tens unit termed STIM-PRO X9+, AXION GmbH, Leonberg, Germany. The investigational headset with auricular electrodes is designed and manufactured by taVNS AB in Saltsjö-Duvnäs, Sweden. Stimulation will be performed for 5 min twice daily for 12 weeks.

TRAVAGUS is a portable electrical vagus nerve stimulator device that non-invasively activates the auricular branch of the vagus nerve in the left ear. The system consists of two units, the electrical stimulator and the ear electrodes that are mounted in a headset. The device is placed to the ear but no stimulation will occur. The procedure is performed for 5 min twice daily for 12 weeks.