Record Status This is a bibliographic record of a published health technology assessment from a member of INAHTA. No evaluation of the quality of this assessment has been made for the HTA database. Citation Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research. Vagus nerve stimulation for refractory epilepsy. Edmonton: Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research (AHFMR). Technote TN 19. 1998 Authors' objectives To summarise the current status of the use of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) for refractory epilepsy.
Authors' conclusions 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.
INAHTA brief and checklist Indexing Status Subject indexing assigned by CRD MeSH Costs and Cost Analysis; Electric Stimulation Therapy; Epilepsy /therapy; Vagus Nerve Language Published English Country of organisation Canada English summary An English language summary is available. Address for correspondence 1200, 10405 Jasper Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T5J 3N4. Tel: +1 780 448 4881; Fax: +1 780 448 0018 Email: djuzwishin@ihe.ca AccessionNumber 31998009124 Date bibliographic record published 23/12/1998 Date abstract record published 23/12/1998 |