A major clinical trial suggests that vagus nerve stimulation may relieve severe depression in people who have not responded to other treatments. The study, led by Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, involved nearly 500 participants who were implanted with devices that stimulate the left vagus nerve. While the primary assessment tool showed no significant differences between the on and off groups, many other measures revealed benefits from using the device.
The trial aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of vagus nerve stimulation therapy for treatment-resistant depression, both alone and as part of bipolar disorder. The study found that participants who received activated devices spent significantly more time with improved symptoms than those with inactive devices. Complete remission was rare, but people with activated devices reported significant improvements in quality of life and functional abilities.
The findings are promising for patients with severe depression who have not responded to other treatments. However, the therapy can be unaffordable due to the cost of the device itself and the surgery to implant it. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and most private insurance plans currently do not cover vagus nerve stimulation therapy.
The study’s principal investigator, Charles R. Conway, noted that patients reported meaningful improvements in their ability to function and live their lives. He emphasized that these findings could be life-changing for people with severe depression who have been failed by numerous treatments.
Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-12-major-clinical-trial-vagus-nerve.html