Ear stimulation may tune heart control in spinal injury

This study tested whether a gentle electrical stimulation on the ear (taVNS) can improve how the heart and nervous system respond during exercise in people with chronic spinal cord injury. 35 adults completed two exercise sessions—one with real stimulation and one with a sham (fake) version—while their heart rate patterns were measured. The goal was to better understand how the body controls heart function after spinal injury, not to treat or cure the condition.