Journal
EPILEPSY & BEHAVIOR
Volume 28, Issue 3, Pages 343-346Publisher
ACADEMIC PRESS INC ELSEVIER SCIENCE
DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2013.02.001
Keywords
Pediatric epilepsy; Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation; Auricular branch of the vagus nerve
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Funding
- National Basic Research Program (973 Program) [2011CB505201]
- National Natural Science Foundation of China [81273829]
- Beijing Natural Science Foundation [7102120]
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Objective: We investigated the safety and efficacy of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (ta-VNS) for the treatment of pediatric epilepsy. Methods: Fourteen pediatric patients with intractable epilepsy were treated by ta-VNS of the bilateral auricular concha using an ear vagus nerve stimulator. The baseline seizure frequency was compared with that after 8 weeks, from week 9 to 16 and from week 17 to the end of week 24, according to the seizure diaries of the patients. Results: One patient dropped out after 8 weeks of treatment due to lack of efficacy, while the remaining 13 patients completed the 24-week study without any change in medication regimen. The mean reduction in seizure frequency relative to baseline was 31.83% after week 8, 54.13% from week 9 to 16 and 54.21% from week 17 to the end of week 24. The responder rate was 28.57% after 8 weeks, 53.85% from week 9 to 16 and 53.85% from week 17 to the end of week 24. No severe adverse events were reported during treatment. Conclusion: Transcutaneous auricular VNS may be a complementary treatment option for reducing seizure frequency in pediatric patients with intractable epilepsy and should be further studied. (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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