Research recommendations coming out of this guidance NICE encourages further research into implanted vagus nerve stimulation for treatment-resistant depression, in the form of randomised controlled trials with a placebo or sham stimulation arm. Studies should report details of patient selection. Outcomes should include validated depression rating scales, patient-reported quality of life, time to onset of effect and duration of effect, and any changes in concurrent treatments.
NICE encourages further research into implanted vagus nerve stimulation for treatment-resistant depression, in the form of randomised controlled trials with a placebo or sham stimulation arm. Studies should report details of patient selection. Outcomes should include validated depression rating scales, patient-reported quality of life, time to onset of effect and duration of effect, and any changes in concurrent treatments.