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Results
By Mayo Clinic staffIf vagus nerve stimulation works as hoped, your depression symptoms will improve or go away completely. It may take several months of treatment with vagus nerve stimulation before you notice any improvements in your depression symptoms.
In some cases, though, there may be little, if any, reduction in depression symptoms. Some research studies have shown that vagus nerve stimulation is no more effective than a placebo, or a fake treatment. And in some cases, depression symptoms may even get worse with vagus nerve stimulation.
Keep in mind that vagus nerve stimulation generally isn't meant to replace traditional treatments. You may still need to or want to take antidepressant medication or attend psychotherapy appointments, for instance.
