Systems and methods for providing and coordinating vagus nerve stimulation with audio therapy
A method of providing vagus nerve stimulation to a user is provided. The method includes the step of prompting, via a first audio cue emitted by an earpiece worn by a user, the user to inhale at a first point in time. The method may further include the step of prompting, via a second audio cue emitted by the earpiece, the user to exhale at a second point in time. The method may further include the step of stimulating a vagus nerve of the user with a first electrical signal generated by the earpiece at the second point in time. The first electrical signal may be applied to a concha of an ear of the user. The first electrical signal may be applied to an ear canal of the user. The first electrical signal may be applied to a tragus of the user.
1. A method of providing vagus nerve stimulation to a user, comprising the steps of:
prompting, via a first audio cue emitted by an earpiece worn by a user, the user to inhale at a first point in time;
prompting, via a second audio cue emitted by the earpiece, the user to exhale at a second point in time; and
stimulating a vagus nerve of the user with a first electrical signal generated by the earpiece at the second point in time.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
prompting, via a third audio cue emitted by the earpiece, the user to inhale at a third point in time;
prompting, via a fourth audio cue emitted by the earpiece, the user to exhale at a fourth point in time; and
stimulating the vagus nerve of the user with a second electrical signal generated by the earpiece at the fourth point in time.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein a time period between the third and fourth points in time is greater than a time period between the first and second points in time.
4. The method of claim 2 , further comprising the steps of:
prompting, via a fifth audio cue emitted by the earpiece, the user to inhale at a fifth point in time;
prompting, via a sixth audio cue emitted by the earpiece, the user to exhale at a sixth point in time; and
stimulating the vagus nerve of the user with a third electrical signal generated by the earpiece at the sixth point in time.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein a time period between the fifth and sixth points in time is greater than the time period between the third and fourth points in time, and wherein a time period between the third and fourth points in time is greater than a time period between the first and second points in time.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first audio cue is an inhalation recording and the second audio cue is an exhalation recording.
7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of measuring, via a sensor, a biometric property of the user.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second point in time is adjusted according to the biometric property.
9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of inputting, by the user via a user interface, one or more personal characteristics.
10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising the step of adjusting a time period between the first point in time and the second point in time according to the one or more personal characteristics.
11. A system for providing vagus nerve stimulation to a user, comprising:
an earpiece comprising an audio transducer and a first electrode, the earpiece configured to:
form a first electrical contact between the electrode and an ear canal, tragus, or concha of a first ear of a user;
emit a first audio cue from the audio transducer at a first point in time to prompt the user to inhale;
emit a second audio cue from the audio transducer at a second point in time to prompt the user to exhale; and
deliver a vagus nerve stimulation signal to the user via the first electrode at the second point in time; and
a second electrode configured to form a second electrical contact with the user.
12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the earpiece further comprises the second electrode.
13. The system of claim 11 , further comprising a sensor configured to measure a biometric property of the user.
14. The system of claim 13 , wherein the second point in time is adjusted according to the biometric property.
15. The system of claim 11 , further comprising a user interface configured for the user to input one or more personal characteristics.
16. The system of claim 15 , wherein a time period between the first point in time and the second point in time is adjusted according to the one or more personal characteristics.
17. The system of claim 11 , wherein the first audio cue is an inhalation recording.
18. The system of claim 11 , wherein the second audio cue is an exhalation recording.
19. The system of claim 11 , wherein the earpiece is further configured to:
emit a third audio cue from the audio transducer at a third point in time to prompt the user to inhale;
emit a fourth audio cue from the audio transducer at a fourth point in time to prompt the user to exhale; and
deliver a second vagus nerve stimulation signal to the user via the first electrode at the fourth point in time.
20. The system of claim 19 , wherein a time period between the third and fourth points in time is greater than a time period between the first and second points in time.