Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation as a complementary therapy for pediatric epilepsy: A pilot trial.
Author: He W, Jing X, Wang X, Rong P, Li L, Shi H, Shang H, Wang Y, Zhang J, Zhu B.
Affiliation:
Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, China.
Conference/Journal: Epilepsy Behav.
Date published: 2013 Jun 29
Other:
Volume ID: 28 , Issue ID: 3 , Pages: 343-346 , Special Notes: doi: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2013.02.001 , Word Count: 179
OBJECTIVE:
We investigated the safety and efficacy of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (ta-VNS) for the treatment of pediatric epilepsy.
METHODS:
Fourteen pediatric patients with intractable epilepsy were treated by ta-VNS of the bilateral auricular concha using an ear vagus nerve stimulator. The baseline seizure frequency was compared with that after 8weeks, from week 9 to 16 and from week 17 to the end of week 24, according to the seizure diaries of the patients.
RESULTS:
One patient dropped out after 8weeks of treatment due to lack of efficacy, while the remaining 13 patients completed the 24-week study without any change in medication regimen. The mean reduction in seizure frequency relative to baseline was 31.83% after week 8, 54.13% from week 9 to 16 and 54.21% from week 17 to the end of week 24. The responder rate was 28.57% after 8weeks, 53.85% from week 9 to 16 and 53.85% from week 17 to the end of week 24. No severe adverse events were reported during treatment.
CONCLUSION:
Transcutaneous auricular VNS may be a complementary treatment option for reducing seizure frequency in pediatric patients with intractable epilepsy and should be further studied.
Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
PMID: 23820114
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