Vagus nerve stimulation for refractory epilepsy
Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research
Record ID 31998009124
English
Authors' objectives:
To summarise the current status of the use of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) for refractory epilepsy.
Authors' recommendations:
The available evidence suggests that the role of VNS therapy in the management of refractory epilepsy is yet to be established. Promising clinical evidence, from well-conducted short-term RCTs suggests that VNS therapy is safe and has potential as an adjunctive therapy to reduce frequency of partial-onset seizures, refractory to anti-epileptic medication, in adolescents and adults who are not suitable candidates for epilepsy surgery or who have failed to improve following surgery. The technology provides an alternative approach to treatment of individuals for whom other management options are poor.
Results from small observational studies suggest that the therapeutic effect of VNS appears to be better and is achieved more rapidly in children than in adults.
Authors' methods:
Review
Details
Project Status:
Completed
Year Published:
1998
URL for published report:
https://www.ihe.ca/advanced-search?type=1020
English language abstract:
An English language summary is available
Publication Type:
Not Assigned
Country:
Canada
MeSH Terms
- Costs and Cost Analysis
- Electric Stimulation Therapy
- Vagus Nerve
- Epilepsy
Contact
Organisation Name:
Institute of Health Economics
Contact Address:
1200, 10405 Jasper Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T5J 3N4. Tel: +1 780 448 4881; Fax: +1 780 448 0018;
Contact Name:
djuzwishin@ihe.ca
Contact Email:
djuzwishin@ihe.ca
Copyright:
Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research
This is a bibliographic record of a published health technology assessment from a member of INAHTA or other HTA producer. No evaluation of the quality of this assessment has been made for the HTA database.