Entries tagged as CES

Eric Newhouse’s Crusade To Improve Veterans’ Access To Much Needed PTSD And TBI Treatments, Including Neurofeedback And CES

On December 10, 2009 / By Chris Fisher / In CES, Featured, Neurofeedback / No Comments

faces_of_combat_coverPulitzer Prize winning journalist Eric Newhouse illuminates the dire circumstances that veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI) frequently encounter in his book, “Faces of Combat, PTSD and TBI: One Journalist’s Crusade to Improve Treatment for Our Veterans.” The Behavioral Medicine Report obtained the publisher’s permission to post Chapter 19 where Newhouse discusses the effectiveness of neurofeedback and cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES) and the Veterans Administration’s (VA) refusal to support these treatments. This story also includes interviews with Siegfried and Susan Othmer. (more…)

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An Overview Of Brain Stimulation Therapies

On December 1, 2009 / By Chris Fisher / In CES, Deep Brain Stimulation / No Comments

NIH_VNS2Brain stimulation therapies have received increased attention as of late. These treatments involve activating or touching the brain directly with electricity, magnets, or implants to treat depression and other disorders. One type of brain stimulation, Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation (CES), was previously detailed in “What is CES?” Part 1 and Part 2. BMED Report even created an “Electromedicine” category in our recommended books section. In the current article, several other brain stimulation therapies are detailed. Electroconvulsive therapy is the most researched stimulation therapy and has the longest history of use. Other stimulation therapies discussed here — vagus nerve stimulation, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, magnetic seizure therapy, and deep brain stimulation—are newer, more experimental methods. (more…)

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Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation For Mild Traumatic Brain Injury and Post-Concussion Syndrome

On October 24, 2009 / By Chris Fisher / In CES / No Comments

brain_image_greyMild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is an acute medical condition that results from a significant impact to the human skull. Post-concussion syndrome (PCS) occurs when mTBI symptoms, such as dysphoria, anxiety, and chronic pain continue for an extended period. There is much debate over the causes of PCS with physical attributions (i.e., physiological/neurological changes) on one side of the continuum and purely psychological explanations on the other. McCrea (2008) argues that PCS reflects a psychological state best described as Undifferentiated Somatization Disorder*. Although his conclusions are not without debate, if true, this squarely places the treatment of PCS in the psychological realm. CES represents one obvious potential treatment as it has been shown to safely reduce several of the most common symptoms associated with mTBI/PCS, albeit with different populations (non-mTBI), and is available for a modest cost compared to medications. A review of the available literature located two randomized controlled studies of CES for mTBI. (more…)

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What is Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation? (Part 2)

On September 30, 2009 / By Chris Fisher / In CES, Featured / No Comments

CES_brain_Pt2In Part 1 of this series, a basic introduction to Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation (CES), also known as Cranial Electrical Stimulation and Cranial Electrostimulation, was given that included a technical overview, typical treatment protocols, and common side effects. Next, Part 2 details CES’ proposed mechanism of action and treatment effectiveness with depression, anxiety, insomnia, and chronic pain, as well as a few closing thoughts. Readers can expect many more future posts on CES and its treatment of various ailments. I anticipate that the first will cover a well-designed CES for mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) study. (more…)

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What Is Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation? (Part 1)

On September 9, 2009 / By Chris Fisher / In CES / No Comments

CES_brain_Pt1Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation (CES), also known as Cranial Electrical Stimulation and Cranial Electrostimulation, falls under the branch of alternative medicine called Electromedicine, which treats physical and psychological conditions with varying levels of electrical current (Kirsch, 2006). CES is the application of a very low level alternating electrical current generated from a 9-volt battery to the brain via clips placed on the ears. In this review, I focus on a particular brand of CES: Alpha-Stim. I do not intend to advocate one brand over another; however, I select Alpha-Stim because I have been trained and conducted research at the doctoral level with this device, as well as received continuing education training specific to this brand. Additionally, Alpha-Stim has a great deal of published research available for discussion and analysis. (more…)

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