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12. Flemenbaum, A. Cerebral Electrotherapy (Electrosleep): An open clinical study with a six month follow-up. Psychosomatics. 15:2024, 1974.
Device: Electrosone 50: 100 Hz, 1 mS, cathodes over orbits, anodes over mastoids
28 anxiety, depression, and insomnia outpatients who had been symptomatic for at least 3 - 4 years and unresponsive to extensive previous treatments were divided into 3 groups and given 5, 30 minute CES treatments. 3 pts left the study, 1 due to complaints of worsening of her nervousness after 3 treatments, 1 left after 4 treatments and could not be located, another died of an overdose 3 months after the treatments, but before the researchers could determine why he left the study. Group I pts (N=14) had no other serious complicating psychiatric disorders, Group II (N = 7) was comprised of pts whose target symptoms were secondary to physical, somatic difficulties, and group III (N = 4) had a history of psychotic episodes. All pts were on psychotropic drugs. Only historical controls were employed in this study. The Zung depression scale and clinical global impressions (1 - 7 scale) were employed pretreatment, and for follow-up at weeks 6, 16, and 24. By the 6th week the pathology for the 3 groups seemed to be reduced to approximately equal levels. An insignificant trend towards worsening was seen by the 24th week. Comparison of the final results with the pretreatment ratings shows improvement statistically significant at the .01 level. The author noted that at the end of the study 12 of the 25 pts were much, or very much improved, 8 had shown some effect, though minimal, and 5 were not improved or had become worse. Some of these chronic pts were practically asymptomatic, other psychophysiological symptoms like asthma and blood pressure had become controllable by regular medical treatment, and/or their target symptoms showed complete or nearly complete remission. Most remarkable of all, these changes occurred in pts who previously had not responded to extensive treatment. Although about 50% of the pts showed minimal improvement, or none at all, those who had beneficial results maintained them throughout the 6 month follow-up. The author added that side effects are virtually nonexistent. It was concluded that this treatment seems to be an excellent modality for pts. Its safety and economy recommend its freer trial.
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