New Guidelines for Vagus Nerve Stimulation Therapy
Summary
A group of 22 experts from Nordic countries studied how to improve the use of Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) therapy for people with drug-resistant epilepsy. This group included neurologists who treat both children and adults. They used a method called the Delphi approach to gather opinions and reach a consensus on various aspects of VNS therapy, including how to start treatment, adjust settings, and manage side effects.
The experts found strong agreement on many important points regarding VNS therapy. They emphasized the importance of using different stimulation options effectively, such as increasing the stimulation strength if needed and using special modes like Autostimulation and Magnet mode. They also provided guidance on newer features like day-and-night programming to make the therapy more comfortable for patients. Overall, they reached a strong consensus on 46 out of 70 statements, indicating a clear direction for improving VNS therapy.
This study is important because it helps fill the gap in guidelines for VNS therapy, which can be a valuable treatment for people with epilepsy who do not respond to medications. However, it is worth noting that not all statements reached a consensus, meaning there is still some uncertainty in certain areas. This highlights the need for ongoing research and discussion to refine these recommendations further.
