Non-invasive Vagus Nerve Stimulation (nVNS) is effective at accelerating foreign language learning
Clinical Trial demonstrates that nVNS is an effective learning acceleration tool while simultaneously improving focus and decreasing fatigue in study participants
ROCKAWAY, N.J., Aug. 01, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — electroCore, Inc. (Nasdaq: ECOR), a commercial-stage bioelectronic medicine and wellness company, today announced that the Air Force Research Laboratories (AFRL) published a paper entitled “Transcutaneous Cervical Vagus Nerve Stimulation Enhances Second-Language Vocabulary Acquisition While Simultaneously Mitigating Fatigue and Promoting Focus” in Scientific Reports on July 26, 2024 (Link). The paper is based on a study that was conducted at the Defense Language Institute (DLI) in Monterey, CA, the U.S. Department of Defense’s premier language school. The study was supported by Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)/AFRL within the DARPA Targeted Neuroplasticity Training (TNT) program.
The study recruited 36 student participants from DLI’s Arabic school house (nVNS = 18 & Sham = 18). Each subject was assessed on day 1 to establish a baseline. On days 2-4, two 2-minute nVNS stimulation treatments were self-administered by the subject, each before and after training. Assessments were taken each treatment day, and on day 5 where there was no treatment, assessments were conducted to assess possible carryover effects. The study showed a significant positive effect of nVNS over sham (p=0.025) on language recall, thereby suggesting nVNS ability to significantly improve the recall of a foreign language compared to sham. The improvement achieved through nVNS treatment on days 2-4 was maintained on day 5 demonstrating that the recall advantage that emerged during training was sustained after the completion of treatment.
All participants completed the AFRL Mood questionnaire on each day (1-5) of the study. From the a priori-selected three scales of the AFRL Mood Questionnaire, participants receiving nVNS showed significant increases compared to participants receiving sham stimulation in energy (p=0.036) and focus (p=0.001) over the course of each training session. Their calm score also trended towards an improvement from nVNS.
Dr. Richard McKinley, of the Air Force’s 711th Human Performance Wing, Human Effectiveness Directorate and an author of the paper, commented, “We are pleased to have successfully published the first randomized, double-blind sham-controlled trial demonstrating the ability of nVNS to accelerate the learning of Arabic vocabulary in students at the Defense Language Institute. Equally impressive were the improvements in the subject’s energy and mood despite the rigors of the training program. This study is consistent with other data that suggests that nVNS may be a viable tool to enhance warfighter training and resilience in a range of areas.”
“We congratulate and thank the teams at DLI and AFRL for the dedicated work on this study as well as DARPA for their sponsoring the study” commented Dr. Peter Staats, Chief Medical Officer of electroCore. “Cognitive performance and skill acquisition are central to the mission of many institutions in a wide variety of sectors including educational, commercial, and military. This study suggests nVNS could accelerate these efforts.”
About The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL)
The Air Force Research Laboratory is the primary scientific research and development center for the Department of the Air Force. AFRL plays an integral role in leading the discovery, development, and integration of affordable warfighting technologies for our air, space, and cyberspace force. With a workforce of more than 11,500 across nine technology areas and 40 other operations across the globe, AFRL provides a diverse portfolio of science and technology ranging from fundamental to advanced research and technology development. For more information, visit: www.afresearchlab.com.
About electroCore, Inc.
electroCore, Inc. is a commercial stage bioelectronic medicine and wellness company dedicated to improving health through its non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation (“nVNS”) technology platform. Our focus is the commercialization of medical devices for the management and treatment of certain medical conditions, and consumer and military specific product offerings utilizing nVNS to promote general wellbeing and human performance in the United States and select overseas markets.
For more information, visit www.electrocore.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the results from the DLI study, anticipated results and timing of clinical trials being conducted with non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation (nVNS), electroCore’s business prospects, its sales and marketing and product development plans, future cash flow projections, anticipated costs, its product portfolio or potential markets for its technologies, the availability and impact of payor coverage, the potential of nVNS generally in particular to accelerate second language learning, improve focus and decrease fatigue, and other statements that are not historical in nature, particularly those using terminology such as “anticipates,” “expects,” “believes,” “intends,” other words of similar meaning, derivations of such words and the use of future dates. Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Such factors include, among others, the ability to obtain additional financing necessary to continue electroCore’s business, sales and marketing and product development plans, the uncertainties inherent in the development of new products or technologies, the ability to successfully commercialize nVNS products, competition in the industry in which electroCore operates and general market conditions. The results of earlier preclinical studies and clinical trials may not be predictive of results of future preclinical studies, clinical trials, or commercial success. All forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release, and electroCore undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements, except as required by law. Investors should refer to all information set forth in this document and should also refer to the disclosure of risk factors set forth in the reports and other documents electroCore files with the SEC, available at www.sec.gov.
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