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DocumentA bioelectronic route to compassion: Rationale and study protocol for combining transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) with compassionate mental imagery2023

Reference code: PT/FB
Entity holding: BIAL Foundation
Location: S. Mamede do Coronado
Title:
BIAL Foundation Archive
Start date: 1994
History:
The BIAL Foundation was created in 1994 by Laboratórios BIAL in conjunction with the Council of Rectors of Portuguese Universities. BIAL’s Foundation mission is to foster the scientific study of Man from both the physical and spiritual perspectives.
Along the years the BIAL Foundation has developed an important relationship with the scientific community, first in Portugal and after worldwide. Today it is an institution of reference which aims to stimulate new researches that may help people, promote more health and contribute to new milestones to gain access to knowledge.
Among its activities the BIAL Foundation manages the BIAL Award, created in 1984, one of the most important awards in the Health field in Europe. The BIAL Award rewards both the basic and the clinical research distinguishing works of major impact in medical research.
The BIAL Foundation also assigns Scientific Research Scholarships for the study of neurophysiological and mental health in people, arousing the interest of researchers in the areas of Psychophysiology and Parapsychology.
To date the BIAL Foundation has supported 461 projects, more than 1000 researchers, with research groups in twenty-seven countries, resulting, until April 2013, in about 600 full papers, out of which 172 published in indexed international journals with an average impact factor of 3.6 and a substantial number of citations (1665).
Since 1996 the BIAL Foundation organizes the Symposia entitled "Behind and Beyond the Brain", a Forum that gathers well renowned neurosciences speakers and the BIAL Foundation Fellows which are spread around the world.
Classified as an institution of public utility, the BIAL Foundation includes among its patrons the Portuguese President, the Portuguese Universities Rectors' Council and the Portuguese Medical Association.
URL: http://www.bial.com/pt/
Accessibility: By permission

Reference code: PT/FB/BL
Entity holding: BIAL Foundation
Title: BIAL Grants
Start date: 1994
History:
In 1994 the BIAL Foundation launched a programme of science research grants with the aim of encouraging the research into Man’s physical and mental processes, namely in fields still largely unexplored but which warrant further scientific analysis, as Psychophysiology and Parapsychology.
Since its launch, applications to the BIAL grants have been increasing. Up to now 461 projects have been supported, involving more than 1000 researchers from 27 countries.
The approved applications have benefited from grants in amounts comprised between €5,000 and €50, 000. The amount to be granted is fixed by the Scientific board according to the needs of each project.
The supported projects have originated, until April 2013, in about 600 full papers, 172 out of which were published in indexed international journals with an average impact factor of 3.6 and a substantial number of citations (1665).
Among the BIAL Foundation fellows is worth highlighting the presence of scientists from prestigious universities from the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Russia, Germany, Japan, France, Canada, and many others.
The BIAL grants are promoted biannually.

Reference code: PT/FB/BL-2020
Location: BF-GMS
Title:
2020 Grants
Start date: 2021-01

Reference code: PT/FB/BL-2020-140
Location: BF-GMS
Title:
140 - Stimulating compassion: Using transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) to probe compassionate behaviour
Duration: 2022-02 - 2024-07
Researcher(s):
Sunjeev Kamboj
Institution(s): Department Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London (UK)
Contents: Contents:
Application form
Correspondence
Research Funding Agreement
Progress report
Final report
Article
Language: eng
Author:
Kamboj, S.
Number of reproductions:
3
Keywords:
Compassion / Vagus nerve / Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation / Psychophysiology and Parapsychology

Reference code: PT/FB/BL-2020-140.02
Location: BF-GMS
Title:
A bioelectronic route to compassion: Rationale and study protocol for combining transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) with compassionate mental imagery
Publication year: 2023
URL:
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0282861
Abstract/Results: ABSTRACT:
Background:
The vagus nerve (VN) is a neural nexus between the brain and body, enabling bidirectional regulation of mental functioning and peripheral physiology. Some limited correlational findings suggest an association between VN activation and a particular form of self-regulation: compassionate responding. Interventions that are geared towards strengthening self-compassion in particular, can serve as an antidote to toxic shame and self-criticism and improve psychological health.
Objective:
We describe a protocol for examining the role of VN activation on 'state' self-compassion, self-criticism, and related outcomes. By combining transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) with a brief imagery-based self-compassion intervention, we aim to preliminarily test additivity versus synergy between these distinct bottom-up and top-down methods for putatively regulating vagal activity. We also test whether the effects of VN stimulation accumulate with daily stimulation and daily compassionate imagery practice.
Methods:
Using a randomized 2 x 2 factorial (stimulation x imagery condition) design, healthy volunteers (n = 120) receive active (tragus) or sham (earlobe) tVNS plus standardized (audio-recorded) self-compassionate or sham mental imagery instructions. These interventions are delivered in a university-based psychological laboratory in two sessions, one week apart, as well as being self-administered between sessions by participants at home. Pre-stimulation, peri-stimulation and post-imagery measures of state self-compassion, self-criticism and related self-report outcomes are assessed in two lab sessions, separated by a week (Days 1 and 8). Heart rate variability is used as a physiological metric of vagal activity and an eye-tracking task assesses attentional bias to compassionate faces during the two lab sessions. On Days 2-7, participants continue their randomly assigned stimulation and imagery tasks at home, and complete state measures at the end of each remote session.
Discussion:
Demonstrating modulation of compassionate responding using tVNS would support a causal link between VN activation and compassion. This would provide a basis for future studies of bioelectronic approaches to augmenting therapeutic contemplative techniques.
Accessibility: Document exists in file
Language:
eng
Author:
Kamboj, S. K.
Secondary author(s):
Peniket, M., Simeonov, L.
Document type:
Article
Number of reproductions:
3
Reference:
Kamboj, S. K., Peniket, M., & Simeonov, L. (2023). A bioelectronic route to compassion: Rationale and study protocol for combining transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) with compassionate mental imagery. PloS ONE, 18(3): e0282861. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0282861
2-year Impact Factor: 2.9|2023
Times cited: 4|2025-09-26
Indexed document: Yes
Quartile: Q2
Keywords: Compassion / Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS)

A bioelectronic route to compassion: Rationale and study protocol for combining transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) with compassionate mental imagery

A bioelectronic route to compassion: Rationale and study protocol for combining transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) with compassionate mental imagery
DocumentFinal report - Stimulating compassion: Using transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) to probe compassionate behaviour2024

Reference code: PT/FB
Entity holding: BIAL Foundation
Location: S. Mamede do Coronado
Title:
BIAL Foundation Archive
Start date: 1994
History:
The BIAL Foundation was created in 1994 by Laboratórios BIAL in conjunction with the Council of Rectors of Portuguese Universities. BIAL’s Foundation mission is to foster the scientific study of Man from both the physical and spiritual perspectives.
Along the years the BIAL Foundation has developed an important relationship with the scientific community, first in Portugal and after worldwide. Today it is an institution of reference which aims to stimulate new researches that may help people, promote more health and contribute to new milestones to gain access to knowledge.
Among its activities the BIAL Foundation manages the BIAL Award, created in 1984, one of the most important awards in the Health field in Europe. The BIAL Award rewards both the basic and the clinical research distinguishing works of major impact in medical research.
The BIAL Foundation also assigns Scientific Research Scholarships for the study of neurophysiological and mental health in people, arousing the interest of researchers in the areas of Psychophysiology and Parapsychology.
To date the BIAL Foundation has supported 461 projects, more than 1000 researchers, with research groups in twenty-seven countries, resulting, until April 2013, in about 600 full papers, out of which 172 published in indexed international journals with an average impact factor of 3.6 and a substantial number of citations (1665).
Since 1996 the BIAL Foundation organizes the Symposia entitled "Behind and Beyond the Brain", a Forum that gathers well renowned neurosciences speakers and the BIAL Foundation Fellows which are spread around the world.
Classified as an institution of public utility, the BIAL Foundation includes among its patrons the Portuguese President, the Portuguese Universities Rectors' Council and the Portuguese Medical Association.
URL: http://www.bial.com/pt/
Accessibility: By permission

Reference code: PT/FB/BL
Entity holding: BIAL Foundation
Title: BIAL Grants
Start date: 1994
History:
In 1994 the BIAL Foundation launched a programme of science research grants with the aim of encouraging the research into Man’s physical and mental processes, namely in fields still largely unexplored but which warrant further scientific analysis, as Psychophysiology and Parapsychology.
Since its launch, applications to the BIAL grants have been increasing. Up to now 461 projects have been supported, involving more than 1000 researchers from 27 countries.
The approved applications have benefited from grants in amounts comprised between €5,000 and €50, 000. The amount to be granted is fixed by the Scientific board according to the needs of each project.
The supported projects have originated, until April 2013, in about 600 full papers, 172 out of which were published in indexed international journals with an average impact factor of 3.6 and a substantial number of citations (1665).
Among the BIAL Foundation fellows is worth highlighting the presence of scientists from prestigious universities from the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Russia, Germany, Japan, France, Canada, and many others.
The BIAL grants are promoted biannually.

Reference code: PT/FB/BL-2020
Location: BF-GMS
Title:
2020 Grants
Start date: 2021-01

Reference code: PT/FB/BL-2020-140
Location: BF-GMS
Title:
140 - Stimulating compassion: Using transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) to probe compassionate behaviour
Duration: 2022-02 - 2024-07
Researcher(s):
Sunjeev Kamboj
Institution(s): Department Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London (UK)
Contents: Contents:
Application form
Correspondence
Research Funding Agreement
Progress report
Final report
Article
Language: eng
Author:
Kamboj, S.
Number of reproductions:
3
Keywords:
Compassion / Vagus nerve / Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation / Psychophysiology and Parapsychology

Reference code: PT/FB/BL-2020-140.01
Location: BF-GMS
Title:
Final report - Stimulating compassion: Using transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) to probe compassionate behaviour
Publication year: 2024
Abstract/Results:
Abstract:
Background
Mind-body practices like mindfulness- and compassion-oriented meditation, rely on interoceptive attunement and a capacity to regulate interoceptive signals. The vagus nerve (VN) modulates and conveys these bodily signals to and from the brain and may, therefore, have a role in generating physiological states favourable to contemplative practices.
Aims
We tested the putative role of the VN in modulating self-compassion (and related outcomes) using transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation (tVNS).
Method
In a factorial randomized controlled clinical trial (NCT05441774), community-dwelling adults (n=120) were evenly assigned to eight daily sessions of tVNS or sham stimulation, plus Self-Compassion Mental Imagery Training (SC-MIT) or closely matched control training. Acute effects of stimulation and training were assessed in the lab on days 1 and 8, and remotely, between the lab sessions (days 2-7).
Results
In contrast to the other experimental conditions, tVNS-plus-SC-MIT showed large acute increases in state self-compassion (d=0.99, p<0.001) and state mindfulness (d=0.68, p=0.003) on day 1, and further increases in state mindfulness between days 1 and 8 (d=0.84, p<0.001). Irrespective of stimulation condition, SC-MIT was associated with an increase in oculomotor attentional bias to compassionate faces, and reductions in self-criticism and heart rate, but no change in heart rate variability.
Conclusions
tVNS may augment contemplative capabilities and may therefore have utility as a method for enhancing the efficacy of meditation-based therapies. However, the specific role of the VN in augmenting these competencies remains uncertain given the absence of an easily employed and reliable positive control for vagal stimulation.
Accessibility: Document exists in file
Language:
eng
Author:
Kamboj, S.
Document type:
Final report
Number of reproductions:
3
Reference:
Kamboj, S. (2024). Final report - Stimulating compassion: Using transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) to probe compassionate behaviour.
Indexed document: No

Final report - Stimulating compassion: Using Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation (tVNS) to probe compassionate behaviour

Final report - Stimulating compassion: Using Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation (tVNS) to probe compassionate behaviour
DocumentElectroceutical enhancement of self-compassion training using transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation: Results from a preregistered fully factorial randomized controlled trial2025

Reference code: PT/FB
Entity holding: BIAL Foundation
Location: S. Mamede do Coronado
Title:
BIAL Foundation Archive
Start date: 1994
History:
The BIAL Foundation was created in 1994 by Laboratórios BIAL in conjunction with the Council of Rectors of Portuguese Universities. BIAL’s Foundation mission is to foster the scientific study of Man from both the physical and spiritual perspectives.
Along the years the BIAL Foundation has developed an important relationship with the scientific community, first in Portugal and after worldwide. Today it is an institution of reference which aims to stimulate new researches that may help people, promote more health and contribute to new milestones to gain access to knowledge.
Among its activities the BIAL Foundation manages the BIAL Award, created in 1984, one of the most important awards in the Health field in Europe. The BIAL Award rewards both the basic and the clinical research distinguishing works of major impact in medical research.
The BIAL Foundation also assigns Scientific Research Scholarships for the study of neurophysiological and mental health in people, arousing the interest of researchers in the areas of Psychophysiology and Parapsychology.
To date the BIAL Foundation has supported 461 projects, more than 1000 researchers, with research groups in twenty-seven countries, resulting, until April 2013, in about 600 full papers, out of which 172 published in indexed international journals with an average impact factor of 3.6 and a substantial number of citations (1665).
Since 1996 the BIAL Foundation organizes the Symposia entitled "Behind and Beyond the Brain", a Forum that gathers well renowned neurosciences speakers and the BIAL Foundation Fellows which are spread around the world.
Classified as an institution of public utility, the BIAL Foundation includes among its patrons the Portuguese President, the Portuguese Universities Rectors' Council and the Portuguese Medical Association.
URL: http://www.bial.com/pt/
Accessibility: By permission

Reference code: PT/FB/BL
Entity holding: BIAL Foundation
Title: BIAL Grants
Start date: 1994
History:
In 1994 the BIAL Foundation launched a programme of science research grants with the aim of encouraging the research into Man’s physical and mental processes, namely in fields still largely unexplored but which warrant further scientific analysis, as Psychophysiology and Parapsychology.
Since its launch, applications to the BIAL grants have been increasing. Up to now 461 projects have been supported, involving more than 1000 researchers from 27 countries.
The approved applications have benefited from grants in amounts comprised between €5,000 and €50, 000. The amount to be granted is fixed by the Scientific board according to the needs of each project.
The supported projects have originated, until April 2013, in about 600 full papers, 172 out of which were published in indexed international journals with an average impact factor of 3.6 and a substantial number of citations (1665).
Among the BIAL Foundation fellows is worth highlighting the presence of scientists from prestigious universities from the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Russia, Germany, Japan, France, Canada, and many others.
The BIAL grants are promoted biannually.

Reference code: PT/FB/BL-2020
Location: BF-GMS
Title:
2020 Grants
Start date: 2021-01

Reference code: PT/FB/BL-2020-140
Location: BF-GMS
Title:
140 - Stimulating compassion: Using transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) to probe compassionate behaviour
Duration: 2022-02 - 2024-07
Researcher(s):
Sunjeev Kamboj
Institution(s): Department Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London (UK)
Contents: Contents:
Application form
Correspondence
Research Funding Agreement
Progress report
Final report
Article
Language: eng
Author:
Kamboj, S.
Number of reproductions:
3
Keywords:
Compassion / Vagus nerve / Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation / Psychophysiology and Parapsychology

Reference code: PT/FB/BL-2020-140.03
Location: BF-GMS
Title:
Electroceutical enhancement of self-compassion training using transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation: Results from a preregistered fully factorial randomized controlled trial
Publication year: 2025
URL:
https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291725101013
Abstract/Results: ABSTRACT:
Background
Physiological signals conveyed by the vagus nerve may generate quiescent psychological states conducive to contemplative practices. This suggests that vagal neurostimulation could interact with contemplative psychotherapies (e.g. mindfulness and compassion-based interventions) to augment their efficacy.
Methods
In a fully factorial experimental trial, healthy adults (n = 120) were randomized to transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) plus Self-Compassion-Mental-Imagery Training (SC-MIT) or alternative factorial combinations of stimulation (tVNS or sham) plus mental imagery training (MIT: SC-MIT or Control-MIT). Primary outcomes were self-reported state self-compassion, self-criticism, and heart rate variability (HRV). Exploratory outcomes included state mindfulness and oculomotor attentional bias to compassion-expressing faces. Most outcomes were assessed acutely on session 1 at the pre-stimulation (T1), peri-stimulation (T2), and post-MIT + stimulation (T3) timepoints, and after daily stimulation+MIT sessions (eight sessions).
Results
During session 1, a significant Timepoint × Stimulation × MIT interaction (p = 0.025) was observed, reflecting a larger acute T1?T3 increase in state self-compassion after tVNS+SC-MIT, with similar rapid effects on state mindfulness. Additionally, significant Session × MIT and Session × Stimulation interactions (p = 0.027) on state mindfulness (but not self-compassion) suggested that tVNS+SC-MIT’s effects may accumulate across sessions for some outcomes. By contrast, changes in state self-criticism and compassion-related attentional bias were only moderated by MIT (not stimulation) condition. HRV was unaffected by stimulation or MIT condition.
Conclusion
tVNS augmented the effects of SC-MIT and might, therefore, be a useful strategy for enhancing meditation-based psychotherapies. Our findings also highlight the value of oculomotor attentional metrics as responsive markers of self-compassion training and the continued need for sensitive indices of successful vagal stimulation.
Accessibility: Document exists in file
Language:
eng
Author:
Kamboj, S. K.
Secondary author(s):
Peniket, M., Norman, J., Robshaw, R., Soni-Tricker, A., Falconer, C., Gilbert, P., Simeonov, L.
Document type:
Article
Number of reproductions:
3
Reference:
Kamboj, S. K., Peniket, M., Norman, J., Robshaw, R., Soni-Tricker, A., Falconer, C., Gilbert, P., & Simeonov, L. (2025). Electroceutical enhancement of self-compassion training using transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation: Results from a preregistered fully factorial randomized controlled trial. Psychological Medicine, 55, e223, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291725101013
2-year Impact Factor: 5.5|2024
Impact factor notes: Impact factor not available yet for 2025
Times cited: 0|2025-09-27
Indexed document: Yes
Quartile: Q1
Keywords: Compassion / Mindfulness / Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation / Neurostimulation / Compassion-focused therapy / Attentional bias / Heart rate variability

Electroceutical enhancement of self-compassion training using transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation: Results from a preregistered fully factorial randomized controlled trial

Electroceutical enhancement of self-compassion training using transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation: Results from a preregistered fully factorial randomized controlled trial