"Low Intensity Transcranial Electrostimulation Improves Human Learning of a Psychomotor Task." By Richard E. Madden, Ph.D., M.S.W. and Daniel L. Kirsch, Ph.D. presented at The New Brain Technologies and Accelerated Learning Conference at the University of Hawaii, April, 1987 and published in the American Journal of Electromedicine, Second-Third Quarter, 1987.

"This study addresses the question, 'can low intensity (Alpha-Stim) electrostimulation applied through the ear lobes significantly improve human learning and performance of a psychomotor task such as typing?' A double-blind placebo control design was used. Seventy-eight subjects were randomly assigned to two groups: (1) the experimental (STIM) group which received electrostimulation while performing a computer typing game; and (2) the control (NSTIM) group which did not receive TCES, but otherwise received the same treatment as the STIM group."

"The dependent measure was the performance gain score obtained for each subject by calculating the score differential between the first and second trials. Statistical analysis demonstrated a significantly larger performance gain score for the STIM group over the NSTIM group as well as a significantly larger ultimate mean performance score."

"Another noteworthy finding was the unexpected decline in performance for NSTIM subjects from Game 2 to Game 4. It was anticipated that both STIM and NSTIM subjects would improve on performance measures with repeated practice and task familiarity. This indeed was the case for STIM subjects. All STIM subjects did improve their performance from Game 2 to Game 4. Among NSTIM subjects, however, 30.8% declined in performance from Game 2 to Game 4. This suggests a possible fatigue and/or inattention factor in some unstimulated subjects which may have gained dominance over the familiarity and practice factors."

The authors propose mechanisms for the efficacy of this technology. They also suggest various non-clinical applications; "Since the results of this study demonstrate the efficacy of TCES in improving human learning and performance...Normal or learning disabled children might also be taught more efficiently under the immediate or residual effects of TCES in classroom settings...More removed from this study might be the use of TCES in business and industrial environments to stimulate executive problem solving or improve workers' concentration, accuracy and speed. Police officers, automobile drivers, air traffic controllers, surgeons, pilots, athletes and others seeking increased alertness, concentration and performance may benefit from TCES."

"Cranial Applications of Low Level Transcranial Electrotherapy vs. Relaxation Instructions in Anxious Patients." By Thomas H. Gibson, Ph.D. and Donald O'Hair, Ph.D. in the American Journal of Electromedicine, First Quarter, 1987.

This is a comparative study of 64 subjects reporting feelings of generalized anxiety. Subjects were given relaxation instructions, Alpha-Stim, both simultaneously or no treatment. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and electromyograph (EMG) readings of frontalis muscle tension were used to monitor changes.

"The results indicate that all three methods of treatment were significantly more effective than placebo in reducing state anxiety and EMG readings of muscle tension...the results of this study indicates that the Alpha-Stim may be a useful adjunctive therapy for short term treatment of symptoms of anxiety. The treatment appears to have about the same efficacy as the same amount of time of relaxation instructions, but is easier to administer."

"Effect of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation for Controlling Pain Associated with Orthodontic Tooth Movement." By Peter M. Roth, D.D.S., M.S.D. and William J. Thrash, D.D.S., M.A. in the American Journal of Orthodontics, Vol. 90, No. 2, August, 1986.

Forty-five adult subjects at Baylor College of Dentistry in Dallas, Texas were randomly assigned to a (Alpha-Stim) TENS group, a placebo TENS group, and a control group. "They were further subdivided into intraoral and extraoral placement, 1, 2, and 3 day treatment duration groups. In each patient orthodontic separators were placed mesial and distal to the upper first molars, bilaterally. Subjects were asked to rate their discomfort every 12 hours for 4 days with a 10 cm visual analogue scale. The results showed a significant decrease in reported pain for those subjects in the TENS group at the 24, 36, and 48 hour assessment periods as compared to either the placebo or control group. In the control group postseparation discomfort continued through the 60 hour assessment period."

"It is also of interest to note that there was no significant effect of treatment schedule on reported pain levels as a single application of (Alpha-Stim) TENS was shown to be effective as two or three TENS treatments. It is difficult to explain this finding using the two TENS mechanisms previously described."

The authors state that, "The clinical application of the present findings is significant." They describe possible mechanisms of action and many potential benefits to dental patients.: "Perhaps a reduction in the pain experienced would lead to better patient compliance."

"I am a retired dentist trained in oral surgery. I purchased the Alpha-Stim to treat a recurring pain and spasticity in both the sternocleidomastoid muscles which did not respond very well to traditional treatment. I gave the most painful justify muscle two 20 minute 0.5 Hz treatments. There was a very noticeable relief of pain. I then treated the less painful right muscle in the same manner and the pain was almost fully relieved. It took four days of treatment to relieve all of the pain and stiffness...I have been bothered with an intermittent tinnitus since about 1950. It became continuous in about 1965. I was unaware that there was any successful treatment of this annoying complaint...The noise in my justify ear was a constant loud whistling and the right ear a less noisy ringing. By placing the ear clip electrodes on my earlobes and the pads at the level of my upper posterior teeth, using 0.5 Hz for two 20 minute treatments for about a week, the ringing noise disappeared completely and the whistling noise was reduced by about 85%. Thank you for developing this new instrument. It certainly has made my life more enjoyable."
J.G. Chudzinski, D.D.S., M.S.D. Laguna Beach, California

"Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation for Tinnitus." By Marvin Engelberg, Ph.D. and William Bauer, M.D. presented at the Meeting of the Southern Section of the American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc., New Orleans, Louisiana, January, 1985 and published in the Laryngoscope, Vol. 95, No. 10, October, 1985.

At the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio, "The use of (Alpha-Stim) electrical stimulation to treat tinnitus was evaluated in a two-experiment study...Eight-two percent of the 33 ears showed improvement by either of the two criteria. The permanence of the improvement ranged from 20 minutes to at least six months. Most of the subjects had either one or two treatment sessions. Subject 2 was seen for seven treatment sessions, each session tending to increase the duration of improvement."

In Experiment 2, "Of the 17 ears treated, two (subject 8, both ears) were perceived as not having improved by stimulation. Thus, 9 of 10 subjects (90%) corresponding to 15 of 17 ears (88%) reported the stimulation as having improved the tinnitus. Of the 15 ears administered the control stimulation, in only one ear did a subject (subject 18, right ear) believe that there had been a change."

The authors concluded that, "The 82% success rate in improvement in tinnitus implies a feasible treatment procedure."

"Noninvasive Electrical Stimulation for the Treatment of Radiotherapy Side-Effects." By Nathalie S. Boswell, M.A. and William Bauer, M.D. presented at the International Conference on Head and Neck Cancer, Baltimore, Maryland, July, 1984 and published in the American Journal of Electromedicine, Third Quarter, 1985.

"Pain, dry mouth, and dysphagia are still present in nearly every patient undergoing radiotherapy, and interruption of treatments for 'rest periods' is still the rule for a large percentage of patients. An original investigation using this new modality for the treatment and prevention of radiation side-effects is presented in an empirical study of 10 patients undergoing radiotherapy for carcinoma of the head and neck. Once (Alpha-Stim) electrical stimulation (ES) was initiated no interruption of radiotherapy was necessary. In addition those having symptoms from radiation before ES was begun were markedly palliated. In contrast, 9 of 13 patients in the retrospective control group had radiation interrupted because of radiotherapy side-effects."

The authors also address the question of effects of electrical stimulation on the tumor itself, "in the low frequency and low energy range, which we are using, there is a growing literature of tumor regression and reversibility of tumor cells." They warn, "It should be emphasized that the term electricity is generic. Just as digitalis and codeine are both pills, they are totally different in effect and action."

"Cocaine Detoxification with Cranial Electro-therapy Stimulation (CES): A Preliminary Appraisal." By Alan Brovar, M.D. in the Newsletter of the International Electromedicine Institute, July/August, 1984 and in Brain/Mind, Vol. 9, No. 14, August, 1984.

"The role of CES in the Treatment of chemical dependency is of great interest since anxiety and insomnia are frequently present in the early stages of recovery and are a common precursor to relapse. This preliminary report describes the use of (Alpha-Stim) CES in a population of hospitalized cocaine dependent persons, and clinically evaluates the efficacy of CES as it relates to retention in the treatment program and subsequent rates of re-admission and relapse."

"...Cocaine addicts given (Alpha-Stim) electromedical treatment completed detoxification and rehabilitation programs more successfully than controls. In a six month follow-up study, Brovar found that people in all three groups had suffered relapses, but the experimental group had fewer relapses and no readmissions to drug programs. Six people from the other groups were readmitted to inpatient programs."

"Electrical Treatment of Severe Head and Neck Cancer Pain." By William Bauer, M.D. in the Archives of Otolaryngology, June, Vol. 109, No. 6, June, 1983.

This is an early report of Alpha-Stim results on severe intractable pain that failed to achieve relief with "heavy medication" and surgery. "The three cases anecdotally presented are representative of similar cases recently treated by us with this new form of electrical stimulation. Without exception, in every case there has been a positive effect in decreasing pain...Objectively, these patients could be followed up by the amount of pain medication they required. In case 1, the patient went from 7 mg of morphine sulfate every three to four hours to no pain medication at all for one week...He is presently pain free with electrical treatments every three days for one minute...In no case was the result less than eight hours, and in case 2, the effect lasted more than three weeks. There was no indication of side effects...and usually there was no sensation of the electrical stimulus. This form of electrical stimulation should not be confused with TENS...The positive results are unquestionable, but more work is needed in defining the basic mechanism of action." Note: This is often used to sell competing "microcurrent" devices, but Dr. Bauer wrote about the Alpha-Stim only.

"Neuroelectric Medicine." By William Bauer, M.D., M.S. in the Journal of Bioelectricity, Vol. 2, Nos. 2 & 3, 1983.

This is a review paper organized under the following headings: