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Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (t‐VNS) in pharmacoresistant epilepsies: A proof of concept trial
Author(s) -
Stefan Hermann,
Kreiselmeyer Gernot,
Kerling Frank,
Kurzbuch Katrin,
Rauch Christophe,
Heers Marcel,
Kasper Burkhard S.,
Hammen Thilo,
Rzonsa Martina,
Pauli Elisabeth,
Ellrich Jens,
Graf Wolfgang,
Hopfengärtner Rüdiger
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
epilepsia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.687
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1528-1167
pISSN - 0013-9580
DOI - 10.1111/j.1528-1167.2012.03492.x
Subject(s) - vagus nerve stimulation , epilepsy , vagus nerve , anesthesia , medicine , stimulation , electroencephalography , psychology , psychiatry
Summary To elucidate, in a pilot‐study, whether noninvasive transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (t‐VNS) is a safe and tolerable alternative treatment option in pharmacoresistant epilepsy. t‐VNS was applied to 10 patients with pharmacoresistant epilepsies. Stimulation via the auricular branch of the vagus nerve of the left tragus was delivered three times per day for 9 months. Subjective documentation of stimulation effects was obtained from patients’ seizure diaries. For a more reliable assessment of seizure frequency, we carried out prolonged outpatient video–electroencephalography (EEG) monitoring. In addition, computerized testing of cognitive, affective, and emotional functions was performed. Three patients aborted the study. Of the remaining seven patients, an overall reduction of seizure frequency was observed in five patients after 9 months of t‐VNS. The noninvasive t‐VNS stimulation is a safe and well‐tolerated method for relatively long periods, and might be an alternative treatment option for patients with epilepsy.