Vagus nerve stimulation for severe depression.
Treatment-resistant depression is a serious problem with significant costs in terms of health care dollars and patients' well-being. Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is one novel, device-based therapy that may be effective in this population. In this article, we review the evidence to date on the use of VNS in major depression and describe the process of VNS treatment initiation, device implantation, and dosage adjustment and monitoring. It is important for psychiatric nurses to understand the evidence base for and how VNS is used in treatment so they may enhance care of patients with treatment-resistant depression.
Rado
Jeffrey
J
Department of Psychiatry, Rush University, Chicago, IL 60612, USA. pjanicak@rush.edu
Janicak
Philip G
PG
D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D016903:Drug Monitoring; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D024802:Nurse's Role; D018579:Patient Selection; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014630:Vagus Nerve
D000928:Antidepressive Agents