Abstract:
Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) is a promising technique for enhancing cognitive performance and skill acquisition. Yet, its efficacy for enhancing learning rate and long-term retention in an ecologically valid learning environment has not been demonstrated. We conducted two double-blind sham-controlled experiments examining the efficacy of auricular tVNS (taVNS: Experiment (1) and cervical tVNS (tcVNS: Experiment (2), on a 5 day second-language vocabulary acquisition protocol among highly selected career linguists at the US Department of Defense\'s premier language school. tcVNS produced accelerated recall performance during training (Day 2-4), benefits of which were maintained across a 24 h retention interval with no stimulation at the final test. Consistent with prior work, tcVNS also produced fatigue-mitigating and focus-promoting effects as measured by the Air Force Research Laboratory Mood Questionnaire. Based on the current and the previous findings supporting tVNS\' efficacy on performance, training enhancement, and fatigue mitigation, we believe tcVNS to be an effective learning acceleration tool that can be utilized at language-teaching and other institutions focused on intensive training of cognitive skills.
摘要:
经皮迷走神经刺激(tVNS)是一种用于增强认知表现和技能获取的有前途的技术。然而,其在生态有效的学习环境中提高学习率和长期保留的功效尚未得到证明。我们进行了两个双盲假对照实验,检查了耳廓tVNS(taVNS:实验(1)和宫颈tVNS(tcVNS:实验(2),在美国国防部首屈一指的语言学校中,在精心挑选的职业语言学家中进行了为期5天的第二语言词汇习得协议。tcVNS在训练期间(第2-4天)产生加速的召回表现,其益处在24h保留间隔内保持不变,在最终测试时无刺激.与以前的工作一致,根据空军研究实验室情绪问卷的测量,tcVNS还产生了缓解疲劳和促进注意力的作用。基于当前和以前的研究结果,支持tVNS对性能的有效性,加强训练,和疲劳缓解,我们认为tcVNS是一种有效的学习加速工具,可用于语言教学和其他专注于认知技能强化训练的机构。