INMEST involves applying low-frequency vibrations to the nasal cavity to activate the vagus nerve and stimulate the parasympathetic system. The vagus nerve plays a key role in regulating heart function and may reduce damage to the heart muscle under stress, such as during a heart attack.

Study

An animal study investigated the effect of INMEST (then called kinetic oscillation stimulation, KOS) as a treatment for myocardial infarction. The study, later presented at a cardiology congress in Barcelona in 2016, is described in this poster.

Results

The results showed a significant reduction in infarct size in rats that received the treatment. INMEST may therefore represent a potential new approach to protect the heart during a heart attack, although more research is needed.

Most notably, the protective effect disappeared when the vagus nerve was severed. This suggests the treatment works specifically by activating the vagus nerve.