Can a nerve stimulator beat tough depression? new study tracks Long-Term results

NCT ID NCT03320304

Recruiting now Disease control Sponsor: LivaNova Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study follows 500 people with treatment-resistant depression who receive Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) Therapy, an implanted device that sends electrical pulses to the vagus nerve. Researchers will track how many patients see a 50% or greater improvement in depression scores over 12 months. The goal is to see how well VNS works in everyday medical practice, not just in controlled trials.

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) Therapy device
What this could lead to: If successful, this could confirm VNS Therapy as a reliable long-term option for people with treatment-resistant depression.
What could go wrong: This is an observational study, not a controlled trial, so results may be less conclusive. The device requires surgery and carries risks like infection or nerve damage.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Depressive Disorder, Treatment-Resistant

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

TREATMENT RESISTANT DEPRESSION

Contacts and locations

Locations

AKH Allgemeines Krankenhaus der Stadt Wien
RECRUITING

Vienna, 1090, Austria
Academic Psychiatry Wolfson Research Centre
RECRUITING

Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
Glenfield hospital
RECRUITING

Leicester, LE3 9EJ, United Kingdom
KU Leuven
RECRUITING

Leuven, Belgium
King's College London
RECRUITING

London, United Kingdom
Klinikum Wilhelmshaven
ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING

Wilhelmshaven, Germany
LVR-Hospital Essen
RECRUITING

Essen, 45147, Germany
Medizinische Hochschule Hannover
WITHDRAWN

Hanover, Germany
Mendip HTT / St Andrew's Ward
ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING

Wells, BA5 1TH, United Kingdom
Sozialstiftung Bamberg - Klinikum am Bruderwald
WITHDRAWN

Bamberg, Germany
University Hospital Münster
RECRUITING

Münster, Germany
Universitätsklinik Leipzig
RECRUITING

Leipzig, 04103, Germany
Universitätsklinikum Bonn
RECRUITING

Bonn, Germany
Universitätsklinikum Frankfurt
RECRUITING

Frankfurt, Germany
Universitätsklinikum Freiburg
COMPLETED

Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
Universitätsklinikum Jena
COMPLETED

Jena, Germany
Universitätsklinikum Köln
RECRUITING

Cologne, Germany
Universitätsmedizin Göttingen
WITHDRAWN

Göttingen, Germany

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