Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Meta-Analysis
. 2015 Dec;31(12):2291-304.
doi: 10.1007/s00381-015-2921-1. Epub 2015 Oct 22.

Meta-analysis of vagus nerve stimulation treatment for epilepsy: correlation between device setting parameters and acute response

S Ghani  1   2 , J Vilensky  3 , B Turner  2 , R S Tubbs  2   4 , M Loukas  5
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Meta-analysis of vagus nerve stimulation treatment for epilepsy: correlation between device setting parameters and acute response

S Ghani et al. Childs Nerv Syst. 2015 Dec.

Abstract

Background: Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is an adjunctive neurophysiological treatment for those patients who have pharmacoresistant or surgically resistant partial onset epilepsy.

Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the effects of high and low stimulation paradigms on a responder rate of ≥50 and ≥75% reduction in seizure frequency and associated adverse effects in adults and children.

Method: A literature search was performed using Medline, PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane library for studies using vagus nerve stimulation published from January 1980 until July 2014 for medically or surgically resistant partial onset seizures, in children and adults. No restrictions on languages were imposed.

Data collection and analysis: Four authors reviewed and selected studies for inclusion and exclusion. The search identified five randomized control trials that fit with our inclusion criteria. The following outcomes were evaluated: 50% or greater reduction in total seizure frequency, 75% or greater reduction in total seizure frequency, and adverse effects.

Results: Four randomized controlled trials were analyzed in this meta-analysis. Results indicate high stimulation is more effective in adult patients who experienced ≥50 and ≥75% reduction in seizure frequency with a significant difference within both high and low stimulation groups. In children, there was no significant difference between the two groups and patients with ≥50 % reduction in seizures. Adverse effects such as hoarseness and dyspnea were more common in the high stimulation group where the remaining side effects were not statistically different among both groups.

Conclusion: High stimulation is more effective than low stimulation in producing a greater reduction in seizure frequency in patients with medically and surgically resistant epilepsy.

Keywords: Adults; Children; Epilepsy; NCP; VNS; Vagus nerve stimulation.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Epilepsia. 2012 Jul;53(7):e115-8 - PubMed
    1. Neurology. 2001 Feb 27;56(4):561-3 - PubMed
    1. Epilepsia. 1994 May-Jun;35(3):627-36 - PubMed
    1. Neurology. 2000 Mar 28;54(6):1388-9 - PubMed
    1. Epilepsia. 1998 Aug;39(8):809-13 - PubMed

Publication types