Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Patients in Residential Treatment Facilities

THIS ANALYSIS COMPARED THE EFFECTIVENESS OF VAGUS NERVE STIMULATION (VNS) THERAPY AMONG PATIENTS WITH INTRACTABLE SEIZURES: a group living in residential treatment facilities (RTF) with a group not living in RTFs (non-RTF). Among a constant cohort of patients with baseline, 3-month, and 12-month data, the RTF group had significantly (P < 0.05) larger numbers of patients with generalized seizures, previous callosotomy, psychiatric disorders, behavioral problems, and Rett's syndrome. Median seizure reductions after 3 months were 33% in the RTF group and 49% in the non-RTF group (P < 0.001); after 12 months, 50% (RTF) and 56% (non-RTF). After both 3 and 12 months, alertness, mood, postictal recovery, and cluster seizures improved in more than a third of patients in both groups. Because VNS therapy does not interact with medications and is delivered automatically, it should be seriously considered for patients with intractable epilepsy who reside in RTFs.