Research on the Heart-Brain Coupling Mechanisms and Interventions for Emotional Inhibitory Control Deficits in Individuals With Alcohol Use Disorder

Participants receive transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) via a non-invasive ear-clip device targeting the cymba conchae. The device delivers electrical pulses at 25 Hz frequency with a pulse width of 200 µs, for 30 minutes daily over 10 consecutive days. The stimulation intensity is individually adjusted to the participant's perceptual threshold. taVNS is paired with standardized mindfulness training in this arm.

Participants in this group use the same device as in the active taVNS condition, but the stimulation is deactivated. The ear-clip device is placed identically on the cymba conchae, with no electrical current delivered. This sham procedure mimics the look and feel of taVNS but serves as a placebo control. Sham stimulation is combined with the same mindfulness training as the experimental group.

Participants receive instructor-led mindfulness training conducted by a trained therapist. Each session lasts 30 minutes and focuses on breath awareness, body scanning, and non-judgmental awareness of internal experience. All participants (both taVNS and sham groups) receive this training daily for 10 consecutive days.