A Prospective, Multi-center, Randomized Controlled Blinded Trial Demonstrating the Safety and Effectiveness of VNS Therapy® System as Adjunctive Therapy Versus a No Stimulation Control in Subjects With Treatment-Resistant Depression

Purpose

Objectives of this study are to determine whether active VNS Therapy treatment is superior to a no stimulation control in producing a reduction in baseline depressive symptom severity, based on multiple depression scale assessment tools at 12 months from randomization.

Condition

  • Treatment Resistant Depression

Eligibility

Eligible Ages
Over 18 Years
Eligible Genders
All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
No

Inclusion Criteria

The patient must be in a major depressive disorder (MDD) episode for ≥ two years or have had at least four episodes of MDD, including the current episode. The patient's depressive illness meets a minimum criterion of four prior failed treatments of adequate dose and duration as measured by a tool designed for this purpose. The patient is experiencing a major depressive episode (MDE) as measured by a guideline recommended depression scale assessment tool on two visits, within a 45-day span prior to implantation of the VNS device. Patients must maintain a stable medication regimen for at least four weeks before device implantation.

Exclusion Criteria

Current or lifetime history of psychotic features in any MDE; Current or lifetime history of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder; Current or lifetime history of any other psychotic disorder; Current or lifetime history of rapid cycling bipolar disorder; Current secondary diagnosis of delirium, dementia, amnesia, or other cognitive disorder; Current suicidal intent; or Treatment with another investigational device or investigational drugs.

Study Design

Phase
N/A
Study Type
Interventional
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention Model
Parallel Assignment
Intervention Model Description
1:1 randomization of active stimulation vs. no stimulation for 12 months post randomization.
Primary Purpose
Treatment
Masking
Quadruple (Participant, Care Provider, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Masking Description
Central Rater and sponsor are blinded in the RCT phase. Sites will need to have an unblinded programmer who is only programming the device and not collecting outcomes data.

Arm Groups

ArmDescriptionAssigned Intervention
Active Comparator
Active
Group will have VNS activated 2 weeks post implant.
  • Device: Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS)
    VNS is an implantable device that delivers stimulation to the vagal nerve.
    Other names:
    • VNS
Sham Comparator
Control
Group will be implanted with VNS but device is not activated for the first 12 months. After 12 months, this group can receive stimulation.
  • Device: Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS)
    VNS is an implantable device that delivers stimulation to the vagal nerve.
    Other names:
    • VNS

Recruiting Locations

University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, Alabama 35294
Contact:
Candace Green
205-976-0068
candacegreen@uabmc.edu

UAB Huntsville Regional Medical Center
Huntsville, Alabama 35801
Contact:
Michael Howell
256-551-4431
hsvpsychresearch@uabmc.edu

More Details

Status
Recruiting
Sponsor
LivaNova

Study Contact

Laura Yates, BSN
281-228-7200
laura.yates@livanova.com

Detailed Description

A prospective, multi-center, randomized, controlled, blinded trial of subjects implanted with VNS Therapy. Active treatment and no stimulation control are randomized, at least two weeks after implantation and observed for 12-months. After completing the 12 month endpoint in the RCT portion of the study, all RECOVER subjects will transition into the prospective, open-label, longitudinal portion of the study. Subjects in the control arm of RECOVER will be activated after completing the 12 month endpoint. After completion of enrollment in the RCT portion or meeting of interim success criterion (whichever comes first), up to 5,800 new subjects may enroll directly into the open-label,prospective, longitudinal study. These subjects will participate in the study for approximately 5 years. The study has been designed in accordance with The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services coverage with evidence development (CED) decision entitled "Decision Memo for Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) for Treatment Resistant Depression (TRD) (CAG-00313R2).