POSITIVE EFFECTS OF VNS ON WEIGHT REGULATION
Abstract number :
3.274
Submission category :
Year :
2002
Submission ID :
1343
Source :
www.aesnet.org
Presentation date :
12/7/2002 12:00:00 AM
Published date :
Dec 1, 2002, 06:00 AM
Authors :
Kara Kneedy-Cayem, Rene Shu, Roger L. Huf, Regina Greiger. ICFDD, Merlinda West, Los Angeles, CA
OBJECTIVE: Participants will become aware of a possible association between vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) Therapy and positive weight regulation among developmentally delayed (DD) clients living in a long-term care setting.
RATIONALE: The ability of VNS Therapy to improve motor speed, psychomotor function, language, and executive functions (Sackeim HA et al, Neuropsychiatry Neuropsychol Behav Neurol 2001;14:53-62) may help individuals who are DD regulate their weight.
METHODS: Client body weight was measured at baseline and compared with each client[ssquote]s ideal body weight range (IBWR) (n=39). Following implantation with the NeuroCybernetic Prosthesis (NCP) device, client body weight was monitored at 3-month intervals.
RESULTS: Routine evaluation of client weight following implantation showed that clients who were below IBWR had better appetites and increased body weights. Clients who were at IBWR or above did not markedly increase their body weights. In addition, professional staff stated that the clients were feeding themselves, had improved oral motor control, and that food spillage had reduced markedly. Twenty-three clients had an increase in weight within the first 6-12 months following implant. Only two had no change in weight and 12 had a decrease. No data was available on two clients. The range of weight difference was +19 lbs to -13 lbs. Clients who gained weight averaged a 6.98 lb increase, and those losing averaged a 5.23 lb decrease.
CONCLUSIONS: Weight and nutrition is an important issue for many DD clients. This positive weight change may be attributed to increased cognition, allowing better oral motor control and fine motor control needed for clients to feed themselves. Therefore, the weight control could have to do with the acquisition of a new skill by these clients. Clients may also be easier to feed due to better muscle control while swallowing or decreased extraneous movement. In many cases, these results were achieved before medication reduction.
(Disclosure: Honoraria - Cyberonics, Inc.)