External trigeminal nerve stimulation for drug resistant epilepsy: A randomized controlled trial

• DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2020.06.005
• Publication Date: 2020-06-10T06:29:32Z
• Authors: Francisco Gil-López; Teresa Boget; Isabel Manzanares; Antonio Donaire; Estefanía Conde-B...; Eva Baillés; Luis Pintor; Xavier Setoaín; Núria Bargalló; Judith Navarro; Jordi Casanova; Josep Valls; Pedro Roldán; Jordi Rumià; Georgina Casanovas; Gema Domenech; Ferrán Torres; Mar Carreño
• Keywords: Drug Resistant Epilepsy; Tolerability; Neurostimulation; Trigeminal Nerve

External trigeminal nerve stimulation (ETNS) is an emergent, non-invasive neurostimulation therapy delivered bilaterally with adhesive skin electrodes. In previous studies, ETNS was associated to a decrease in seizure frequency patients focal drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE).To determine the long-term efficacy and tolerability of DRE. Moreover, explore whether its depends on epileptogenic zone (frontal or temporal), impact mood, cognitive function, quality life, excitability.Forty consecutive frontal temporal DRE, unsuitable for surgery, were randomized usual medical treatment. Participants evaluated at 3, 6 12 months efficacy, side effects, mood scales, neuropsychological tests excitability.Subjects had median 15 seizures per month tried 12.5 antiepileptic drugs. At months, percentage responders 50% group 0% control group. Seizure decreased by -43.5% from baseline. Temporal subgroup responded better than (55.56% vs. 45.45%, respectively). Median intensity 6.2 mA. improved but not anxiety depression. Long-term affected neither nor excitability. No relevant adverse events observed.ETNS effective well-tolerated Patients showed response those epilepsy. Future studies larger populations may define role compared other techniques.This study provides Class II evidence that reduces