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Vagus Nerve Stimulation As an Adjunctive Neurostimulation Tool in Treatment-resistant Depression
Published on: January 7, 2019
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Adjunctive Nonconvulsive Electrotherapy for Patients with Depression: a Systematic Review
Dong-Bin Cai1, Hua-Rong Zhou2, Wan-Nian Liang3
1Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, China.
The Psychiatric Quarterly
|June 23, 2021
Summary
Nonconvulsive electrotherapy (NET) shows promise as a safe and effective adjunctive treatment for depression, with efficacy similar to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) but fewer cognitive side effects.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- The efficacy and safety of adjunctive nonconvulsive electrotherapy (NET) for depression remain unclear.
- Existing research is limited, necessitating a comprehensive review of available evidence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the efficacy and safety of adjunctive NET in patients diagnosed with depression.
- To evaluate NET's effectiveness and tolerability compared to existing treatments and assess neurocognitive impact.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature search was conducted across major English and Chinese databases up to January 27, 2021.
- Included studies comprised one randomized controlled trial (RCT) and two observational studies, involving a total of 139 patients.
Main Results:
- In the RCT, NET demonstrated antidepressant efficacy comparable to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) (P > 0.05) but with significantly fewer neurocognitive impairments (P < 0.05).
- Observational studies showed significant reductions in depression scores (HAMD-17) post-NET without adverse neurocognitive effects.
- Discontinuation rates were similar across treatment arms in the RCT, and ADRs were not separately reported.
Conclusions:
- Limited evidence suggests NET is a potentially safe, well-tolerated, and effective adjunctive therapy for depression.
- NET may offer a favorable alternative for depression treatment, particularly concerning neurocognitive side effects.
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