Key result
Vagus nerve stimulation significantly improved mental quality of life (P=0.012), physical quality of life (P<0.002), and depressive and anxiety symptoms (P<0.001) over 6 years.
Why the study?
Does vagus nerve stimulation improve quality of life and clinical symptoms in outpatients with treatment-resistant depression?
Observational (n=10)
Does vagus nerve stimulation improve quality of life and clinical symptoms in outpatients with treatment-resistant depression?
p-value: p=0.012 for mental QOL, <0.002 for physical QOL, <0.001 for symptoms
Vagus nerve stimulation provides sustained, long-term improvements in both clinical symptoms and quality of life in patients with treatment-resistant depression.
VNS may sustain QOL and symptom gains in TRD; leaves open need for randomized trials before practice change.
OBJECTIVES: Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) carries a major burden on those affected by this disease and significantly impacts their quality of life (QOL). Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) has showed promising results on symptoms, but its impact on QOL remains underresearched. This study aims to evaluate the long-term effects of VNS on both QOL and clinical symptoms for TRD patients, through a naturalistic 6-year follow-up. METHOD: Outpatients with confirmed TRD were enrolled to receive VNS. None of the patients enrolled left the study or was lost at follow-up. Patients were evaluated at 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, and 72 months for a total of 10 assessments using the 36 item Short Form questionnaire, Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale. RESULTS: Ten patients were enrolled with a mean age of 50 years. This study shows a clinically and statistically significant improvement of the mental QOL (P = 0.012), physical QOL (P < 0.002), depressive symptoms (P < 0.001), and anxiety symptoms (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This long-term naturalistic study is the first to demonstrate that the therapeutic effect of VNS on TRD goes beyond clinical symptoms to improve the daily QOL of those affected.
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Trottier-Duclos et al. (2018) conducted an observational in Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) (n=10). Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) was evaluated on Mental and physical quality of life, depressive and anxiety symptoms (p=0.012 for mental QOL, <0.002 for physical QOL, <0.001 for symptoms). Vagus nerve stimulation significantly improved mental quality of life (P=0.012), physical quality of life (P<0.002), and depressive and anxiety symptoms (P<0.001) over 6 years.
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