Return to Research Menu
Return to Front Page
Marijuana
40. Overcash, Stephen J., Siebenthall, A. 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.
Device: Alpha-Stim 2000, 0.5 Hz, 50% duty cycle, <500 µA, biphasic rectangular waves, ear clip electrodes
32 marijuana users with various psychophysiological stress disorders diagnosed
with generalized anxiety disorder and substance abuse disorder were referred
from family practitioners and randomly assigned to a control group (N = 16)
in which they were treated with biofeedback EMG training, Quieting Response
(QR) relaxation tapes and psychotherapy, or a CES experimental group (N =
16) which was treated with biofeedback EMG training, QR, psychotherapy, plus
multisensory emotional therapy using the Relax and Learn System and Alpha-Stim
CES. There were significant differences in the outcomes of the two groups.
Although little change was recorded in EMG readings through the second treatment,
by the fifth treatment the improvement was remarkable. The experimental group
was able to reduce their mean EMG from 38 µV to 3.2. The control group
also reduced their mean EMG from 41 µV to 9.6. Analysis of variance
(F = 5.43, P<.01) indicate significant differences between the groups.
The experimental group averaged the same amount of relaxation at the end
of 8 sessions that the control group reached in 10. In the 16PF personality
test, there was significant differences between groups in 4 areas. Nervous
tension was reduced in both groups. The experimental group was significantly
more planful (4.0 pretest to 7.2 post test, P<.01) in the self sufficiency
test, a good indicator of reduction in anxiety levels, whereas there was
no change in the control group (4.6 to 4.6). In area of dominance, a measure
of assertiveness, the experimental group had a significant gain from 3.2
to 7.1, while the control group had an insignificant gain of 4.0 to 4.3.
Ego strength for the experimental group rose from 3.0 to 7.6 which represents
a significant (F = 6.95, P<.01) increase in decision making skills, while
the control group had an insignificant gain (F = .28, P>.75) from 2.8
to 3.0. The experimental group was also able to reduce their use of marijuana
more quickly testing drug free in only 6 weeks, and sustained over a longer
period of time than the control group which was drug free in 9 weeks. No
side effects were reported.
Return
to Research Menu
Return
to Front Page