Seminar: Andrea Parker, Occupational Therapist

Here is the eagerly awaited presentation by Andrea Parker, Occupational Therapist, who spoke on Vagus Nerve Stimulation as a possible therapy for ME/CFS at our recent AGM/Seminar, 7th September 2019, Unley Community Centre.

It is wonderful to have such talent and commitment within our membership and we thank Andrea for her contribution to our community.

Below are links to both the full-length and shortened versions of her talk.

Andrea's Talk

Full-length video - 56 minutes

If you would like to go to a specific part of the presentation, you can click on the time links that are listed below the video.

CONTENTS:

02:00 - What is ME/CFS and my journey with the illness

05:48 - A Systems Theory approach

06:58 - The Cell Danger Response Hypothesis

08:00 - (A brief detour...a Lego model of ATP production)

10:17 - Cell Danger Response continued

12:52 - What is the autonomic nervous system and how does it respond to threat?

15:03 - The Polyvagal Theory

17:32 - Clinical implications of a low functioning Green Zone

21:11 - Vagus Nerve Stimulation may activate the Green Zone

23:32 - What is Vagus Nerve Stimulation?

28:53 - Time to test this hypothesis...on myself!

34:07 - The Parasym Data Collection Project

39:30 - Implications for research and therapy: What has helped me?

46:46 - Implications for research and therapy: ME/CFS and beyond

50:11 - Measuring dysfunction and recovery

53:07 - Conclusion

54:38 - A message of hope

56:02 - References

Summary video - 15 minutes

Additional search terms: ANS, SNS, PNS, transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation, tVNS, Parasym, VNS, OT