Relationship of Cervical Region Tension With Vagal Function
Condition: Gastrointestinal Diseases; Autonomic Nervous System Disease
MeSH terms: Gastrointestinal Diseases; Digestive System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Autonomic Nervous System Diseases; Primary Dysautonomias
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      The increase in the tension of the soft tissues around a nerve restricts the movement,
      affects the function of the nerve, and makes the nerve vulnerable to entrapment. Even a mild
      nerve compression can cause entrapment and lead to neuroinflammation. It is known that
      inflammatory mediators amplify axonal sensitivity. Although the spontaneous discharge
      potential of visceral afferents is quite low under normal conditions, neuroinflammation
      increases the excitability of these fibers. With this mechanism, hyperalgesia may develop in
      sensory fibers in neuroinflammation. This may cause pathologies in the organs innervated by
      the relevant nerve.

      The fascia and muscles of the cervical region surround the vagus nerve. There are two main
      fascial compartments in the cervical region. The SCM and trapezius muscle fascias join to the
      most superficial fascia of the deep cervical fascia and they together form these
      compartments. These fasciae superiorly attach to the cranium and inferiorly to the pectoral
      region. The vagus nerve emerges from the jugular foramen together with the 9th and 11th
      cranial nerves. It then continues through the carotid sheath in the cervical region. The
      carotid sheath is in contact with the SCM muscle. For this reason, it can be thought that SCM
      muscle tension or thickness may affect the carotid sheath and thus the function of the vagus
      nerve passing through it.

      In summary, deterioration in vagus nerve activity plays a role in pathologies of the organs
      innervated by the vagus. Although the relationship between vagal dysfunction and
      gastrointestinal system symptoms is clear, the mechanisms affecting vagus nerve function have
      not yet been clarified. It has been reported in the literature that some maneuvers from the
      cervical region are also effective on the vagus nerve. Also, according to investigators'
      clinical experience, gastrointestinal symptoms are frequently observed in patients with
      increased cervical soft tissue tension. However, there are not enough studies investigating
      whether the cervical region soft tissue tension can affect the gastrointestinal system via
      the vagus nerve. Therefore, this study was planned to examine the relationship of cervical
      soft tissue tension with vagus nerve function and gastrointestinal symptoms in asymptomatic
      individuals and individuals with neck pain.
    


Intervention name(s): VAGUS-NDT
Intervention type(s): Other
Intervention description(s): Neurodynamic test for vagus nerve
Allocation: Non-Randomized
Intervention model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: Single (Outcomes Assessor)
Primary purpose: Screening
Keywords: vagus nerve; muscle tonus; Autonomic Nervous System Diseases; Pain Threshold