The Vagus Nerve: Assessment, Therapy Techniques, and Clinical Applications

BOC credit provided by Niel Asher. This course explores the anatomy, physiology, and clinical significance of the vagus nerve, with a focus on its role in autonomic regulation and patient health outcomes. Nurses, including RNs, NPs, and CNSs, will learn how vagal function influences conditions such as stress, inflammation, digestion, and cardiovascular regulation. The course introduces safe, non-invasive techniques and assessment strategies that can be integrated into nursing care to support nervous system balance and patient recovery. Emphasis is placed on evidence-informed practice, patient safety, and alignment with nursing scope of care.

Target Audience

Healthcare Professionals, Nurses (RNs, NPs, CNSs), Manual Therapists

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of the educational activity, participants should be able to:

  • Describe the anatomy and physiological functions of the vagus nerve and its role in autonomic nervous system regulation.
  • Identify clinical signs of vagal dysfunction and autonomic imbalance in patient populations.
  • Perform basic assessment strategies to evaluate vagal tone and nervous system status.
  • Apply safe, non-invasive techniques that support vagal stimulation and patient relaxation.
  • Integrate vagus nerve-focused strategies into nursing care plans while evaluating patient responses to support improved outcomes.

Commercial Support
There is no commercial support for this activity.

Course summary

Available credit: 
  • 5.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™

    Physicians
    AKH Inc., Advancing Knowledge in Healthcare designates this Enduring Material for a maximum of 5.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

  • 5.00 ANCC Contact Hours

    Nurses
    Credit being awarded: 5.00 ANCC contact hours

  • 5.00 Attendance

    Credits: 5.00

  • 5.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ Non-MD

    Non-Physicians Seeking AMA Credit
    AKH Inc., Advancing Knowledge in Healthcare designates this Enduring Material for a maximum of 5.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

     

Course opens: 
08/28/2026
Course expires: 
08/28/2028
Cost:
$0.00
Rating: 
0

Planners and Reviewers
Dorothy Caputo, MA, BSN, RN (President, AKH Inc.)
AKH Inc Staff and Planners
Niel Asher Staff and Planners

All of the relevant financial relationships listed for these individuals have been mitigated.

Disclosures
None of the planners or faculty for this educational activity have relevant financial relationship(s) to disclose with ineligible companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients.

It is the policy of AKH Inc. to ensure independence, balance, objectivity, scientific rigor, and integrity in all of its continuing education activities. The author must disclose to the participants any significant relationships with ineligible companies whose products or devices may be mentioned in the activity or with the commercial supporter of this continuing education activity. Identified conflicts of interest are mitigated by AKH prior to accreditation of the activity. AKH planners and reviewers have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Disclosure of Unlabeled Use and Investigational Product 
This educational activity may include discussion of uses of agents that are investigational and/or unapproved by the FDA. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product for discussion of approved indications, contraindications, and warnings.

Disclaimer 
This course is designed solely to provide the healthcare professional with information to assist in his/her practice and professional development and is not to be considered a diagnostic tool to replace professional advice or treatment. The course serves as a general guide to the healthcare professional, and therefore, cannot be considered as giving legal, nursing, medical, or other professional advice in specific cases. AKH Inc. specifically disclaim responsibility for any adverse consequences resulting directly or indirectly from information in the course, for undetected error, or through participants misunderstanding of the content. If you would like to opt out from future communications from AKH please send an email to [email protected] with your information with "Opt Out" in the subject line.

Author, Writer(s)

John Wilks

has no relevant financial relationships to disclose at this time.

Athletic Trainers
Niel Asher, Natural Alternative Therapies BOC Provider #: P12148 is approved by the Board of Certification, Inc. to provide continuing education to Athletic Trainers (ATs). This program is eligible for a maximum of 5.0 Category A hours/CEUs. ATs should claim only those hours actually spent in the educational program.

 

CE credit provided by AKH Inc., Advancing Knowledge in Healthcare

In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by AKH Inc., Advancing Knowledge in Healthcare and Niel Asher. AKH Inc., Advancing Knowledge in Healthcare is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive 5.0 Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credit for learning and change.

Available Credit

  • 5.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™

    Physicians
    AKH Inc., Advancing Knowledge in Healthcare designates this Enduring Material for a maximum of 5.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

  • 5.00 ANCC Contact Hours

    Nurses
    Credit being awarded: 5.00 ANCC contact hours

  • 5.00 Attendance

    Credits: 5.00

  • 5.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ Non-MD

    Non-Physicians Seeking AMA Credit
    AKH Inc., Advancing Knowledge in Healthcare designates this Enduring Material for a maximum of 5.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

     

Price

Cost:
$0.00
Please login or register to take this course.

Criteria for Success
To obtain credit, you must participate in the entire activity.  Partial credit is not awarded.  Complete the post test and evaluation.  You must receive a 70% or more on the post test to pass.  The Certificate of Completion is immediately available for download after submitting your evaluation.  It will remain in your profile transcript for future retrieval if needed.  It can be found under My Account > My Activities > Completed Activities.

If you have any questions, contact [email protected].