Taiwan's Industrial Technology Research Institute says it has developed a
digital treatment technology for generalized anxiety disorder.

Clinical trials are under way, and the treatment is expected to be available
for in-home use in three to five years.

The treatment involves non-invasive micro-electrical stimulation of the vagus
nerve in the ear to activate the parasympathetic nervous system.

The device combines treatment with monitoring of physiological signals like
heart rate variation and optical angiography to provide feedback to patients.

ITRI says the treatment could initially be used in conjunction with
psychotherapy and drugs ... but could eventually replace the other
interventions.

It says that after it transfers the technology for commercial development,
anxiety treatment and monitoring devices will likely be sold for home use at
prices comparable to commercial blood-pressure monitors.

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