Non pharmacological alternative for anxiety and depression
S. L. Crum, B.S., M.S., Ph.D.

There is a small device called Alpha Stim which stimulates the brain with low voltage transcranial electrotherapy. I successfully employed this in my private practice to assist many patients who were struggling with anxiety and depression, as well as with fibromyalgia, chronic pain and insomnia. I often found this to be a good alternative to medication for children who experienced negative side effects from their prescribed medications; or as a supplement for those who received some benefit from medication but not enough. For many patients, this non-invasive nonpharmacological approach was all they needed to assist with their depression or anxiety.

Essentially, this unit helps the brain stimulate alpha wave activity. It sort of acts as a pace maker for the brain setting the pace within the alpha range; a range associated with relaxation and improved focus. Unlike neurofeedback where one uses reinforcement to train the brain to normalize its functioning, the Alpha-stim provides low voltage transcranial electrotherapy, that sets the pace for the brain. Thus, it can yield results in a shorter period of time than would typically be seen with neurofeedback because there is no learning curve involved. Often, I used both with patients, Alpha-Stim to provide more immediate relieve, and neurofeedback to help patients learn how to induce this state on their own without benefit of the Alpha-Stim. So, if your child suffers with anxiety or depression, this is a nonpharmacological intervention you might be interested in exploring.

The patient’s experience is that two clips are worn on the ears for 20-30 minutes. Some people who are particularly anxious or tense may initially report feeling a little light headed, but most of people report experiencing just a mild tingling or a small pulse.

How Does Transcranial Electrotherapy Work?

We are not certain of the mechanism for transcranial therapy’s efficacy. It is believed that the Alpha-Stim microcurrent waveform activates particular groups of nerve cells that are located at the brainstem. These groups of nerve cells produce serotonin and acetylcholine which affect the activity of nerve cells situated to control the activity of nerve pathways that run into the brain from the spinal cord and back down into the spinal cord. As it alsters the electrical and chemical activity of certain nerve cells in the brainstem, transcranial electrotehrpay appears to modulate brain activity by amplifying activity in some neurological systems, while decreasing activity in others. This modulation appears to occur as a result of the production of alpha waves as measured on Qeeg’s . Alpha rhythms are associated with by feelings of calmness, relaxation and increased mental focus and decreased levels of stress, agitation and emotional lability

Some patients experiences effects can be produced after a single treatment, and repeated treatments have been shown to increase the relative strength and duration of these effects. In some cases, effects have been stable and permanent, suggesting that the electrical and chemical changes evoked by Alpha-Stim have led to a durable re-tuning back to normal function

What are Alpha Waves?

The Alpha-Stim® has been shown in clinical studies to increase the brain's production of serotonin, beta endorphins, and alpha wave activity. Alpha waves are the brain waves one feels when they are alert yet relaxed. Decreased alpha wave activity is shown in a variety of psychological disorders. The brain produces five main types of brain waves as shown below:

The five generally accepted brain wave groups:

1. Delta Waves: 0 - 4 Hz Delta waves are the slowest range of brain waves. They are seen in in deep sleep typically during stage 3 and stage 4 sleep.

2. Theta Waves: 4 - 8 Hz The sleepy brain waves. We see these brain waves when we are falling asleep or just waking up and during the early stages of sleep..

3. Alpha Waves: 8 - 12 Hz. Alpha waves are seen when we are both alert and relaxed. These waves decrease with concentrated or busy activity.

4. Beta Waves: 12 - 26 Hz. Beta waves are associated with high stress, high concentration, busy or anxious thinking.

5. Gamma Waves: 26 - 80 Hz. These waves are thought to be associated with higher level thinking, problem solving, and consciousness.

Your brain can produce a variety of these types of wave forms at any given time. By analyzing brain waves of some people with psychological disorders, there can be obvious flaws. Some have irregular brain wave patterns while others are dominant in certain frequencies or deficient in others. High beta wave/low alpha wave activity has been shown in people with depression, stress, anxiety, epilepsy, and even schizophrenia. Conversely, children with ADHD typically have slower brain waves than most (delta and theta brain wave activity) and decreased power in the alpha bands. For this reason many are prescribed stimulants in order to speed up their brain wave activity.

Increased alpha wave activity, while not a cure-all, has shown to help with a variety of mental health issues. Increasing your alpha waves can also be a means of just managing stress. Zen Buddhists, biofeedback therapists, and even NASA scientists have all sought ways to increase beneficial alpha wave activity over the years. As psychotherapy research progresses, alpha wave enhancement may become an important tool in fighting mental illness.

References

1. Terelak J. Alpha index and personality traits of pilots. Aviat Space Environ Med. 1976 Feb;47(2):133-6.

2. Barry RJ, Clarke AR, McCarthy R, Selikowitz M. EEG Coherence Development in Normal and ADHD Children Clinical EEG & Neuroscience Journal (Presented at Annual Meeting 2004).

3. Becker K, Holtmann M. Role of electroencephalography in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Expert Rev Neurother. 2006 May;6(5):731-9.

4. Diego MA, Field T, Hernandez-Reif M. CES-D depression scores are correlated with frontal EEG alpha asymmetry. Depression and Anxiety. 2001;13(1):32-7

Alpha-Stim® beats out some of the leading antidepressants in this efficacy comparison.

Research has show the efficacy of Prozac beyound the placebo response to be around 15% improvement. For Serzone it is about 20%, Effeor around 30%, Zoloft approximately 20%, Paxil about 30% and Alpha Stim around 60%.

Peer Reviewed Outcomes on 2,500 Alpha-Stim Patients Self Reports

Category Percentage Reporting Improvement

Stress 95.12%
Pain 93.02%
Headaches 82.14%
Psychological Issues 91.56%
Anxiety 89.84%
Anxiety/Depression 94.83%
Depression 89.79%

Results of using Alpha-Stim technology at least 3 weeks from consecutive warranty cards. Total N = 2,500 patients with multiple symptoms. For additional information see: Smith, Ray B. Is microcurrent stimulation effective in pain management? An additional perspective. American Journal of Pain Management, 11(2):62-66, 2001.

The average pain reduction for patients placed on long-term opioids is only 32%.

Journal of Clinical Psychology: In Session, November, 2006, p. 1420
References

1. Kirsch I, Moore TJ, Scorboria A, and Nicholls SS. The emperor’s new drugs: an analysis of antidepressant medication data submitted to the FDA. Prevention and Treatment. 2002; 5:1-11.

2. Gilula, Marshall F., and Kirsch, Daniel L. Cranial electrotherapy stimulation review: a safer alternative to psychopharmaceuticals in the treatment of depression. Journal of Neurotherapy, 9(2):7-26, 2005.

This material is reproduced with the permission of Electromedical Products International, Inc. © 2006

Gilula, Marshall F., and Kirsch, Daniel L. Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation Review: A Safer Alternative to Psychopharmaceuticals in the Treatment of Depression. Journal of Neurotherapy, 9(2):7-26, 2005

2. Kirsch, Daniel, L. and Smith R. Cranial electrotherapy stimulation for anxiety, depression, insomnia, cognitive dysfunction, and pain. In Bioelectromagnetic Medicine. Paul J. Rosch, Ed. Marcel Dekker, New York, Pp 727-740, 2004

3. Childs, Allen and Price, Larry. Cranial electrotherapy stimulation reduces aggression in violent neuropsychiatric patients. Primary Psychiatry, 14(3):50-56, 2007.

4. Tan, Gabriel, Monga, Trilok, and Thornby, John. Efficacy of microcurrent electrical stimulation on pain severity, psychological distress, and disability. American Journal of Pain Management, 10(1):35-44, 2000.

5. Overcash, Stephen. The effect of ROSHI protocol and cranial electrotherapy stimulation on a 9-year-old anxious, dyslexic male with attention deficit disorder: A case study. Journal of Neurotherapy, 9(2):63-77, 2005.

6.. Smith, Ray B, Cranial electrotherapy stimulation in the treatment of stress related cognitive dysfunction, with an eighteen month follow up. Journal of Cognitive Rehabilitation, 17(6):14-18, 1999.
7. Schroeder, M.J., and Barr, R.E. Quantitative analysis of electroencephalogram during cranial electrotherapy stimulation. Clinical Neurophysiology. 112:2075-2083, 2001. Doctoral dissertation, The Graduate School of the University of Texas at Austin, 191 pages, 1999.

8. Tyers, Steve and Smith, Ray B. A comparison of cranial electrotherapy stimulation alone or with chiropractic therapies in the treatment of fibromyalgia. The American Chiropractor, 23(2):39-41, 2001.

9. Childs, Allen. Cranial electrotherapy stimulation reduces aggression in violent retarded population: a preliminary report. The Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, 17(4): 548-551, 2005.

10. Cork, Randall C., Wood, Patrick, Ming, Norbert, Shepherd, Clifton, Eddy, James, Price, Larry. The effect of cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES) on pain associated with fibromyalgia. The Internet Journal of Anesthesiology. 2004; Volume 8, Number 2.

11. Overcash, Stephen J. Cranial electrotherapy stimulation in patients suffering from acute anxiety disorders. American Journal of Electromedicine, 16(1):49-51, 1999.

12. Heffernan, Michael. The effect of variable microcurrents on EEG spectrum and pain control. Canadian Journal of Clinical Medicine, 4(10):4-11, 1997.

13. Winick, Reid L. Cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES): a safe and effective low cost means of anxiety control in a dental practice. General Dentistry, 47(1):50-55, 1999.

14. Heffernan, Michael. The effect of a single cranial electrotherapy stimulation on multiple stress measures. The Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, 147:60-64, 1995.

15. Brovar, Alan. Cocaine detoxification with cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES): A preliminary appraisal. International Electromedicine Institute Newsletter, 1(4), July/Aug, 1984. Also in Brain/Mind Bulletin, 9(14), August, 1984.

16. Gibson, Thomas H, et. al. Cranial application of low level transcranial electrotherapy vs. relaxation instruction in anxious patients. American Journal of Electromedicine, 4(1):18-21, 1987.

17. Voris, Marshall D., et. al., and Good, Shirley. Treating sexual offenders using cranial electrotherapy stimulation. Medical Scope Monthly, 3(11):14-18, 1996.

18. May, Brad, et. al. Pilot project using the Alpha-Stim 100 for drug and alcohol abuse. August, 1993.

19. Smith, Ray B, et. al. The use of cranial electrotherapy stimulation to block fear perception in phobic patients. Journal of Current Therapeutic Research, 51(2):249-253, 1992.

20. Overcash, Stephen J, et. al. The effects of cranial electrotherapy stimulation and multisensory cognitive therapy on the personality and anxiety levels of substance abuse patients. American Journal of Electromedicine, 6(2):105-111, 1989.

21. Voris, Marshall D. An investigation of the effectiveness of cranial electrotherapy stimulation in the treatment of anxiety disorders among outpatient psychiatric patients, impulse control parolees and pedophiles. Delos Mind/Body Institute, Dallas and Corpus Christi, Texas, 1995.

22. Plotnick, Stephen E. Finding hope: Alpha-Stim 100 may help clinicians yield better fibromyalgia treatment results. Advance for Directors in Rehabilitation, P. 82, May 2005.

23. Kennerly, R., QEEG analysis of cranial electrotherapy: A pilot study. Journal of Neurotherapy, 8(2):112-113, 2004.

24.. Lichtbroun, Alan S., Raicer, Mei-Ming C., and Smith, Ray B. The treatment of fibromyalgia with cranial electrotherapy stimulation. Journal of Clinical Rheumatology, 7(2):72-78, 2001.

If you are interested in more information about the Alpha-Stim, feel free to email me at Able2learn@live.com.


Presented as a community service by,

Susan L. Crum, B.S., M.S., Ph.D.
Special Needs Coach
Able2Learn
Email: Able2learn@live.com
Voice and Fax: 863-471-0281
Website: specialeducationsupport.org