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Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) in some studies has produced some decrease of depressive symptoms over time in refractory major depressive disorder (MDD). In this study from the Chinese Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, researchers examined effects of transcutaneous VNS (tVNS), which avoided the surgical procedure by stimulating a region of the ear where afferent vagal fibers are thought to be present. The study population consisted of 49 unmedicated patients with nonrefractory, mild-moderate MDD (mean Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression [HRSD] score, 29; duration, ≤2 years).
An initial month-long single-blind study demonstrated reduction of depression with tVNS in one cohort. Then the investigators assigned a second cohort to a month…