Quality-of-Life Assessment in Patients Treated with Vagus Nerve Stimulation

Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is a novel therapy used in patients with medically intractable epilepsy. We administered a Quality of Life in Epilepsy-10 (QOLIE-10) questionnaire consisting of questions designed to assess the patients' rating of their memory, level of physical and mental well-being, energy, depression, worries about seizures and work, social limitations, and overall quality of life on VNS treatment. The questionnaire was administered before and at 1-3 weeks, 5-7 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 9-12 months after the initiation of VNS in 17 patients. QOLIE-10 scores were significantly better after the initiation of the therapy as compared with baseline (P < 0.01). There was no correlation between the improvement in QOLIE-10 scores and the reduction in seizure frequency, decreased severity of seizures, or increased level of energy/alertness. We conclude that VNS therapy is associated with a significant improvement in subjective quality of life.