An alternative therapy for drug-resistant epilepsy: transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation / 中华医学杂志(英文版)
Chinese Medical Journal
; (24): 300-304, 2014.
Article
in En
| WPRIM
| ID: wpr-317996
Responsible library:
WPRO
ABSTRACT
<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Previous studies demonstrated that vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is an effective therapy for drug-resistant epilepsy. Acupuncture is also used to treat epilepsy. This study was designed to examine the safety and effectiveness of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (ta-VNS) for patients with drug-resistant epilepsy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 50 volunteer patients with drug-resistant epilepsy were selected for a random clinical trial to observe the therapeutic effect of ta-VNS. The seizure frequency, quality of life, and severity were assessed in weeks 8, 16, and 24 of the treatment according to the percentage of seizure frequency reduction.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the pilot study, 47 of the 50 epilepsy patients completed the 24-week treatment; three dropped off. After 8-week treatment, six of the 47 patients (12%) were seizure free and 12 (24%) had a reduction in seizure frequency. In week 16 of the continuous treatment, six of the 47 patients (12%) were seizure free; 17 (34%) had a reduction in seizure frequency. After 24 weeks' treatment, eight patients (16%) were seizure free; 19 (38%) had reduced seizure frequency.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Similar to the therapeutic effect of VNS, ta-VNS can suppress epileptic seizures and is a safe, effective, economical, and widely applicable treatment option for drug-resistant epilepsy. (ChiCTR-TRC-10001023).</p>
Full text:
1
Database:
WPRIM
Main subject:
Therapeutics
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Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation
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Treatment Outcome
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Epilepsy
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Vagus Nerve Stimulation
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Methods
Type of study:
Clinical_trials
Aspects:
Patient_preference
Limits:
Adolescent
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Adult
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Female
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Humans
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Male
Language:
En
Journal:
Chinese Medical Journal
Year:
2014
Document type:
Article