ReviewDer Nervenarzt2022
[Vagus nerve stimulation for difficult to treat depression].
Review in Der Nervenarzt, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 8 papers.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
8 citing papers in PubMed, 9 citations in OpenAlex.
- Protocol of the randomized double blind sham controlled AddVNS study of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation mechanisms in depression.Scientific reports · 2026Trial
- [Neuromodulation as the fourth pillar in the treatment of depression : A position paper of the German Center for Mental Health].Der Nervenarzt · 2026Review
- tVNS and obesity-related inflammation: a prospective sham-controlled randomized crossover study protocol.BMC psychology · 2026Article
- The Use of Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) in the Management of Patients with Difficult-to-Treat Major Depressive Disorder (MDD): An Expert Consensus Statement.Neuropsychiatric disease and treatment · 2026Article
- Physical Therapy for Treatment-Resistant Depression A Comprehensive Review of Efficacy, Safety, and Evidence Grading.Neuropsychiatric disease and treatment · 2026Review
- [Clinical management of treatment-resistant depression].Der Nervenarzt · 2024Review
- Editorial: Novel technologies targeting the rehabilitation of neurological disorders.Frontiers in neuroscience · 2024Article
- A Holistic Perspective on How Photobiomodulation May Influence Fatigue, Pain, and Depression in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Beyond Molecular Mechanisms.Biomedicines · 2023Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
4 authors at 2 institutions in 2 countries.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
introductionFor the past 20 years vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) has been an approved invasive treatment option for treatment-resistant depression (TRD) across Europe. In contrast to more common treatments, such as ECT, knowledge about VNS is low both in the general population and among professionals.
methodsIn this narrative review, we provide a clinically and scientifically sound overview of VNS. Hypotheses on the mechanism of action as well as the current evidence base on efficacy are presented. Perioperative management, adverse event profile and follow-up including dose titration are described. A comparison of international guideline recommendations on VNS is also provided. Furthermore, we formulate criteria that are helpful in the selection of appropriate patients.
resultsElectrical impulses are transmitted afferently via the vagus nerve and stimulate a neuromodulatory cerebral network via different pathways. Many studies and case series demonstrated the efficacy of VNS as an adjuvant procedure for TRD. The effect occurs with a latency period of 3-12 months and possibly increases with the duration of VNS. If stimulation recommendations are followed, side effects are tolerable for most patients.
conclusionThe use of VNS is an approved, effective and well-tolerated long-term therapy for chronic and treatment-resistant depression. Further sham-controlled studies over a longer observational period are desirable to improve the evidence.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.