Table 3.

Minimum reporting standards.

Acute/short-term stimulation	Long-term stimulation
Device level
– Manufacturer/name/version/edition (if applicable)
– Regulatory aspects (CE certification, FDA compliance etc.)
Design level
– General study design (e.g., randomized controlled) – Between- vs. within-subject design (if applicable) – Blinding of subjects, assessors, and statisticians – Intended and actual session duration (min) – Pre-stimulation period (i.e., time before task/segment of interest) – Time of day (circadian influence) – Manipulation check (in sham-controlled designs) – Type of sham control (if applicable)	– General study design (e.g., randomized controlled) – Between- vs. within-subject design (if applicable) – Blinding of subjects, assessors, and statisticians – Intended and actual daily dose/total duration of intervention – Time of day of stimulation (i.e., free vs. instructed) – Protocol compliance monitoring and completer definition
Stimulation level (for active and sham stimulation, if applicable)
– Stimulation site (specify anatomic location and steps in preparation) (e.g., using an alcohol wipe)
– Electrode composition and set-up
– Current intensity (mA)
– Pulse width (μs)
– Frequency (Hz)
– Duty cycle (s)
– Parameter descriptions: Constant current or voltage, current or voltage intensity (mA or V), pulse width, frequency, duty cycle (ON/OFF time)
– Waveform descriptions: uni- or bi-directional, anode/cathode placement
– Pulse shape and burst/non-burst stimulation
– Voltage (mV) in case of voltage-controlled stimulation
Subject level
– Inclusion/exclusion criteria
– Mean age and age range of sample
– Sex distribution/ethnicity
– Assessment of confounding variables
– Prior knowledge of vagal innervation of the ear by the participant
Adverse events
– Detailed reporting on methods to assess adverse events
– Transparent reporting on any (serious) adverse events