Members of CEPAC recently convened in Providence, RI to deliberate and vote on the evidence on the clinical effectiveness and comparative value of nonpharmacologic interventions for patients with treatment-resistant depression (read the press release). This meeting examined the evidence on four interventions: transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), vagus nerve stimulation and cognitive behavioral and/or interpersonal therapy. The final meeting report includes supplementary analyses to augment the review of nonpharmacologic interventions for treatment-resistant depression in adults produced by AHRQ. The report also reviews the results of the votes taken by CEPAC on the adequacy of evidence to demonstrate the comparative clinical effectiveness and value of different approaches to treatment-resistant depression. The report concludes with key policy considerations from CEPAC to help guide researchers, providers, and payers to generate and apply evidence in ways that will improve the quality and value of psychiatric services across New England.
