A Novel Medical Device that Relieves Anxiety, Depression and Pain While Improving Sleep in a Population of Teachers
Date
2019-01
Authors
Price, Larry R.
Kirsch, Tracey B.
Kuhn, John
Marksberry, Jeff
Haltiwanger, Steven G.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Longdom
Abstract
Objectives: This study was conducted to confirm the benefits of Alpha-Stim ® cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES) technology as an effective non-drug treatment for anxiety, mood, sleep, and pain in teachers following a successful pilot study at the Leigh Academy, Dartford, United Kingdom. The second objective was to determine whether the new smartphone app was a reliable method of evaluating the effectiveness, based on the pilot study in the UK, other prior surveys, and more than 100 prospective research studies conducted on Alpha-Stim technology conducted from 1981 through 2019.
Methods: Thirty-five teachers (29 females and 6 males) in the Mineral Wells, Texas Independent School District, volunteered to participate in a study to reduce anxiety, depression, insomnia, and pain by passing a mild electric current with specific waveform characteristics through their brains via electrodes that clip on their ears. It was a six- week open-label design where participants tracked their progress using a new smartphone app to record their symptoms at least five days per week. The subjects were encouraged to use the device for 20-60 minutes any time of day and for any indication.
Results: The statistical analyses revealed highly significant (p values <0.001) for anxiety, depression, insomnia, and pain. The effect size Cohen's d values from a total of 237 treatments were greater than two standard deviations for all outcome measures indicating a high level of practical change from baseline to posttest supporting the capability of Alpha-Stim CES technology in reducing self-perceived symptoms and the ability to monitor progress on the Alpha-Stim app.
Conclusion: This treatment effect with Alpha-Stim cranial electrotherapy stimulation on anxiety, insomnia, depression, and pain was consistent with prior surveys and confirmed the precision of the new app in determining progress from a single treatment and a series of treatments.
Description
Keywords
Alpha-Stim, anxiety, depression, insomnia, pain, teachers, stress, cranial electrotherapy stimulation, Counseling, Leadership, Adult Education, and School Psychology
Citation
Kirsch, T. B., Kuhn, J., Price, L. R., Marksberry, J., & Haltiwanger, S. G. (2019). A Novel Medical Device that Relieves Anxiety, Depression and Pain While Improving Sleep in a Population of Teachers. Journal of Depression and Anxiety, 8(2): 334.
Rights
Rights Holder
© 2019 Kirsch TB, et al.
Rights License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 United States License.