Protocol and stimulation parameters
Definition
Duty cycle is the proportion of a repeating stimulation cycle during which stimulation is on rather than off.
Aliases and abbreviations
stimulation duty cycle · on/off cycle
Editorial record
Published: August 25, 2026 · Reviewed: August 25, 2026
Expanded definition
In an intermittent stimulation protocol, duty cycle is usually calculated as on-time divided by total cycle time. For example, 30 seconds on and 30 seconds off gives a 50% duty cycle.
The same percentage can be produced by different on/off patterns, so reporting only the percentage can hide clinically or experimentally relevant timing details. Both the on-period and off-period should be stated.
Duty cycle is one part of a protocol alongside waveform, frequency, pulse width, intensity, stimulation site, and total session duration. A value used in one study is not automatically an optimal or product-specific setting.
What the term does not establish
Why the distinction matters
Separating duty cycle from total session length makes protocols easier to compare and prevents a familiar percentage from being treated as a universal dose.
Main guide
A method-focused overview of stimulation parameters, protocol reporting, and interpretation limits.
Explore tVNS protocolsRelated terms
Protocol and stimulation parameters
Protocol and stimulation parameters
Protocol and stimulation parameters
Protocol and stimulation parameters
Protocol and stimulation parameters
Safety and research
Editorial scope
This glossary entry supports general education. It does not diagnose, recommend treatment, or transfer findings from one VNS method, protocol, or device to another.