Vagus Nerve Stimulation: ME/CFS and Beyond

Presentation by Andrea Parker, Occupational Therapist for the ME/CFS South Australia Inc. Seminar on 7th Sept 2019.

CONTENTS:
0:00 Introduction
2:00 What is ME/CFS and my journey with the illness
5:48 A Systems Theory approach
6:58 The Cell Danger Response Hypothesis
8:00 (A brief detour...a Lego model of ATP production)
10:17 Cell Danger Response continued
12:52 What is the autonomic nervous system and how does it respond to threat?
15:03 The Polyvagal Theory
17:32 Clinical implications of a low functioning Green Zone
21:11 Vagus Nerve Stimulation may activate the Green Zone
23:32 What is Vagus Nerve Stimulation?
28:53 Time to test this hypothesis...on myself!
34:07 The Parasym Data Collection Project
39:30 Implications for research and therapy: What has helped me?
46:46 Implications for research and therapy: ME/CFS and beyond
50:11 Measuring dysfunction and recovery
53:07 Conclusion
54:38 A message of hope
56:02 References

PARASYM FAQ:
The Parasym is a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) device that has been setup and approved specifically for vagus nerve stimulation.
Dosage: Recommended 1 hour per day
Not recommended for under 18's and pregnant women (no research in these populations yet)
Not suitable for people with pacemakers, cochlear implants, and some specific medical conditions.
Online medical assessment required with Parasym prior to purchase being approved.
See https://www.parasym.co/ for more information or contact Parasym directly at [email protected]

DISCLAIMER:
Andrea's work has been done on a voluntary basis and no payment has been received from Parasym or any other organisation.
There is no approved treatment for ME/CFS.
Therapies that Andrea has personally benefited from do not constitute approved treatments for ME/CFS.
Theories are not facts and require research to be validated.

SUPPORT:
Facebook Group: "A Vagus Adventure – Dawn Wiley"   / 492041135346672  
*Please note this is a Facebook Group offering non-clinical support in the use of vagus nerve stimulation. Please always consult your doctor for medical advice.

RESEARCH UPDATE:
Traianos E, Dibnah B, Lendrem D, et al (2021) AB0051 The effects of non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation on immunological responses and patient reported outcome measures of fatigue in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and rheumatoid arthritis
Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases 2021;80:1057-1058. https://ard.bmj.com/content/80/Suppl_...

Verbanck P, Clarinval AM, Burton F, Nagant C, et al. (2021) Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation (tVNS) can Reverse the Manifestations of the Long-COVID Syndrome: A Pilot Study. Advances in Nerology and Neuroscience Research 2: 100011
https://emrespublisher.com/open-acces...