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Updated: May 13, 2026
Vagus Nerve Stimulation As an Adjunctive Neurostimulation Tool in Treatment-resistant Depression
Published on: January 7, 2019
Promising effect of vagal stimulation in Danish patients with epilepsy
Kristin Sjølie Thygesen1, Anne Sabers
1Department of Neurology, Rigshospitalet, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark. sjoelie@dadlnet.dk
Introduction:
Nervus vagus stimulation (VNS) is an option for additional surgical treatment for epilepsy. The aims of this study were to evaluate the effect of VNS on seizure frequency and to investigate patient satisfaction of and quality of life effects of VNS treatment.
Material And Methods:
We investigated 94 patients treated with VNS for intractable epilepsy in Denmark. The patients were operated in the 1996-2006 period. We performed a retrospective survey based on questionnaires which were adjusted to the following subgroups of patients: competent adults, children and mentally retarded adults.
Results:
46% of the patients reported a reduction in seizure frequency and 38% of adults reported a positive effect on quality of life with a benefit on long-term treatment. Around 20% also reported a positive effect on quality of life measures like coping, mood, self-confidence and social abilities. In the children's group, 21% reported a positive effect on quality of everyday life for the child and the family, 52-55% reported no change and 10% a negative effect. The patients had mild side effects, except for one case of vocal cord paralysis.
Conclusion:
VNS is a palliative add-on antiepileptic treatment in selected patients with medically intractable epilepsy. The effect may increase with long-term treatment. However, the impact on quality of life is modest. We found that side effects from VNS treatment were relatively mild. Future studies are needed.
Funding:
not relevant.
Trial Registration:
not relevant.
