Could a nerve stimulator in the neck beat severe depression?
NCT ID NCT05952674
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This trial investigates whether vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) — a device implanted in the neck that sends electrical pulses to the brain — can help people with treatment-resistant depression. About 166 adults with depression that has not responded to standard treatments will receive either VNS plus usual care or usual care alone. The study measures if VNS is worth its cost by tracking mood, quality of life, and healthcare use over two years.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) device
What this could lead to
If effective, VNS could offer a long-term maintenance treatment option for people with treatment-resistant depression, potentially reducing relapse and improving quality of life.
What could go wrong
This is an open-label, randomized trial, so results may be influenced by placebo effects. VNS requires surgery and carries risks like infection or nerve damage. The study focuses on cost-effectiveness, not just clinical benefit.
Disclaimer
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This is a summary of
the original study
.
Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Study contacts
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Contact
Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
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Contact
Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Locations
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AP-HP. Centre - Université de Paris, Hôpital Corentin-Celton
WITHDRAWNIssy-les-Moulineaux, France
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AP-HP. Nord - Université de Paris, Hôpital Louis Mourier
WITHDRAWNColombes, France, 92700, France
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AP-HP. Sorbonne Université, Hôpital La Pitié Salpetrière
ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITINGParis, France, 75013, France
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AP-HP. Université Paris Saclay, Hôpital Bicêtre
WITHDRAWNLe Kremlin-Bicêtre, France, 94270, France
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APHP. Hôpitaux Universitaires Henri Mondor, Hôpital Henri Mondor
RECRUITINGCréteil, France, 94000, France
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
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Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Marseille, Hôpital de la Conception
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGMarseille, France, 13005, France
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
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CHRU Tours, Clinique Psychiatrique Universitaire
RECRUITINGTours, France, 37540, France
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
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CHU Angers
ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITINGAngers, France, 49933, France
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CHU Brest
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGBrest, 29200, France
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
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CHU Caen
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGCaen, France, 14000, France
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
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CHU Clermont-Ferrand, Hôpital Gabriel Montpied
RECRUITINGClermont-Ferrand, France, 63000, France
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
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CHU Dijon, Hôpital Le Bocage
RECRUITINGDijon, France, 21000, France
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
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CHU Grenoble Alpes
RECRUITINGGrenoble, France, 38700, France
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
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CHU Lille
RECRUITINGLille, France, 59037, France
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
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CHU Nice, Hôpital Pasteur 1
RECRUITINGNice, France, 06001, France
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
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CHU Rouen, Centre Hospitalier du Rouvray
RECRUITINGRouen, France, 76300, France
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
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CHU Saint-Etienne
RECRUITINGSaint-Etienne, France, 42055, France
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
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CHU Toulouse, Hôpital de Psychiatrie
RECRUITINGToulouse, France, 31059, France
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
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CHU de Nantes, Hôtel Dieu
RECRUITINGNantes, France, 44093, France
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
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Centre Hospitalier Charles Perrens
RECRUITINGBordeaux, France, 33076, France
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
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Centre Hospitalier Guillaume Regnier
RECRUITINGRennes, France, 35703, France
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
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Centre Hospitalier Henri Laborit
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGPoitiers, France, 86021, France
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
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GHU Paris Psychiatrie & Neuroscience, site Saint Anne
RECRUITINGParis, France, 75014, France
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
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Hospices Civils de Lyon, Hôpital Pierre Wertheimer
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGLyon, France, 69677, France
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••