A method for assessing a patient's suitability for receiving a vagus nerve stimulation therapy includes receiving a criterion regarding the patient's suitability for receiving a vagus nerve stimulation therapy； controlling a stimulation device to provide stimulation to a vagus nerve of the patient； receiving, from a sensor, response data indicative of a physiological response of the patient to the stimulation of the vagus nerve； and determining the patient's suitability for receiving the vagus nerve stimulation therapy based on the criterion and the physiological response of the patient to the stimulation.
