International Consensus Based Review and Recommendations for Minimum Reporting Standards in Research on Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation (Version 2020)
Authors: Farmer Adam D. , Strzelczyk Adam , Finisguerra Alessandra , Gourine Alexander V. , Gharabaghi Alireza , Hasan Alkomiet , Burger Andreas M. , Jaramillo Andrés M. , Mertens Ann , Majid Arshad , Verkuil Bart , Badran Bashar W. , Ventura-Bort Carlos , Gaul Charly , Beste Christian , Warren Christopher M. , Quintana Daniel S. , Hämmerer Dorothea , Freri Elena , Frangos Eleni , Tobaldini Eleonora , Kaniusas Eugenijus , Rosenow Felix , Capone Fioravante , Panetsos Fivos , Ackland Gareth L. , Kaithwas Gaurav , O'Leary Georgia H. , Genheimer Hannah , Jacobs Heidi I. L. , Van Diest Ilse , Schoenen Jean , Redgrave Jessica , Fang Jiliang , Deuchars Jim , Széles Jozsef C. , Thayer Julian F. , More Kaushik , Vonck Kristl , Steenbergen Laura , Vianna Lauro C. , McTeague Lisa M. , Ludwig Mareike , Veldhuizen Maria G. , De Couck Marijke , Casazza Marina , Keute Marius , Bikson Marom , Andreatta Marta , D'Agostini Martina , Weymar Mathias , Betts Matthew , Prigge Matthias , Kaess Michael , Roden Michael , Thai Michelle , Schuster Nathaniel M. , Montano Nicola , Hansen Niels , Kroemer Nils B. , Rong Peijing , Fischer Rico , Howland Robert H. , Sclocco Roberta , Sellaro Roberta , Garcia Ronald G. , Bauer Sebastian , Gancheva Sofiya , Stavrakis Stavros , Kampusch Stefan , Deuchars Susan A. , Wehner Sven , Laborde Sylvain , Usichenko Taras , Polak Thomas , Zaehle Tino , Borges Uirassu , Teckentrup Vanessa , Jandackova Vera K. , Napadow Vitaly , Koenig Julian 
Published: March 2021

Given its non-invasive nature, there is increasing interest in the use of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) across basic, translational and clinical research. Contemporaneously, tVNS can be achieved by stimulating either the auricular branch or the cervical bundle of the vagus nerve, referred to as transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation(VNS) and transcutaneous cervical VNS, respectively. In order to advance the field in a systematic manner, studies using these technologies need to adequately report sufficient methodological detail to enable comparison of results between studies, replication of studies, as well as enhancing study participant safety. We systematically reviewed the existing tVNS literature to evaluate current reporting practices. Based on this review, and consensus among participating authors, we propose a set of minimal reporting items to guide future tVNS studies. The suggested items address specific technical aspects of the device and stimulation parameters. We also cover general recommendations including inclusion and exclusion criteria for participants, outcome parameters and the detailed reporting of side effects. Furthermore, we review strategies used to identify the optimal stimulation parameters for a given research setting and summarize ongoing developments in animal research with potential implications for the application of tVNS in humans. Finally, we discuss the potential of tVNS in future research as well as the associated challenges across several disciplines in research and clinical practice.