The ergonomic challenges of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) devices

Sammanfattning

As the global elderly population increases, improving quality of life while providing cost-effective healthcare solutions has become a critical challenge, with technology playing a central role. The taVNS device is a notable innovation offering therapeutic benefits for chronic stroke, depression, anxiety management, and chronic pain relief. However, discomfort and low usability hinder its widespread adoption, making ergonomic improvements essential for daily use. The aim of this study is to investigate ergonomic factors affecting the usability and comfort of taVNS devices and propose user-centered design improvements. A mixed-methods approach was adopted, combining quantitative surveys with 16 participants, qualitative interviews with two interviewees including observation, and prototype development and evaluation. Key obstacles identified were discomfort from electrode pressure, difficulty in accurate placement, and poor fixation stability. Prototype evaluations showed that although the electrode was comfortable without pressure or pain, inadequate fixation required users to manually maintain electrode contact, offsetting comfort and convenience. Based on these findings, ergonomic design improvements are proposed, including adjustable fixation mechanisms, intuitive and precise placement, gel-free electrode materials, and optimized cable designs. In conclusion, ergonomic considerations are essential in the design of wearable medical devices to enhance usability and comfort, which may encourage broader adoption of taVNS devices. These outcomes also contribute to the achievement of Goal 3 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Target 3.4 (reducing premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention andtreatment) and Target 3.8 (achieving universal health coverage) as well as Goal 9 (fostering innovation in medical technology).