Return to Research Menu
Return to Front Page
Reaction Time, Vigilance
23. Itil, T., Gannon P., Akpinar, S., Hsu, W. Quantitative EEG analysis of electrosleep using frequency analyzer and digital computer methods. Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology. 31:294, 1971.
Device: Electrosone 50
10 male volunteers received EEG recordings with two days of CES and two days of sham CES in a crossover design. Pts who exhibited no decrease of vigilance when CES was off also showed no significant changes when CES was on. Those showing a slighttomoderate drowsiness during the off recording did show a slighttomoderate sleep pattern when the CES was on. There was no significant EEG difference between the on and off sessions recorded during resting time. However, during reaction time measurements there was an increase in 510 c/sec activity and a decrease in fast alpha and beta activity when CES was on as compared with the recordings taken with CES off. No side effects were
30. Madden, Richard, and Kirsch, Daniel, Lowintensity electrostimulation improves human learning. American Journal of Electromedicine. 4(2):41-45, 1987. Also doctoral dissertation (RM), City University Los Angeles, 1987.
Device: Alpha-Stim 350, 0.5 Hz, 50% duty cycle, 200 µA, biphasic rectangular waves, ear clip electrodes
103 normal, healthy volunteer subjects without typing skills, responded to recruitment efforts, 21 failed to satisfy the inclusion criteria or declined to participate. Of the remaining 82, 4 did not show up. 78 (29 males and 49 females) completed this double blind study. They were randomly assigned to receive either 1, 20 minute Alpha-Stim CES treatment session (N = 39), or sham treatment (N = 39). The performance measuring device was a computer game called MasterType designed to teach typing skills, while measuring speed and accuracy. A baseline trial was conducted without stimulation. Immediately following the first trial, the subjects received real or sham CES and began the second trial. A total of 4 trials were completed by all subjects. Performance products (PP's) were obtained by multiplying rate per minute and accuracy scores following the completion of each trial. Prestimulation means of the first 2 trials were calculated as PPt1 (performance product for the first trial). PPt2 represented poststimulation or sham stimulation. The dependent variable was the performance gain score computed by taking the difference between t1 and 12 performance products represented as PG = PPt2 - PPt1. All t-tests were employed at the 0.01 confidence level. CES subjects improved significantly on the computer task involving psychomotor cognitive skills, with a PP4 - PP2 PG mean of 5.6 2.2, while 12 (30.8%) of the sham patients actually experienced a decrement in performance, and none improved significantly: PP4 - PP2 PG mean of 0.7 2.3. The authors concluded that this study demonstrates the efficacy of CES in improving human learning and performance. Normal or learning disabled children might also be taught more efficiently under the immediate or residual effects of CES in classroom settings. Others seeking increased alertness, concentration, and performance may also benefit, such as police officers, automobile drivers, air traffic controllers, surgeons, pilots, and athletes. No side effects were reported.
Return to Research Menu
Return to Front Page