Letter to the Editor

Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation: A Safe Neuromedical Treatment for Anxiety, Depression, or Insomnia

Authors: Marshall F. Gilula, MD, Paul R. Barach, MD, MPH

Abstract

The Institute of Medicine's To Err is Human made headlines by estimating that medical errors account for between 44,000 and 98,000 deaths annually in the United States. Together with the subsequent quality dimension report, Crossing the Quality Chasm, the Institute of Medicine has brought patient safety into the spotlight.1 The greatest variance of adverse events in medicine probably is due to medication errors. Today's primary care physician has a multitude of electronic devices such as personal digital assistants, software, and newsletters designed to help minimize medication error and promote safe medication practices.2 Electronic therapeutic devices can actively reduce the number of medication errors by reducing the amount of medication needed to treat anxiety, depression, insomnia, and pain. Among the electromedical devices available to the ordinary office practice of general medicine is the cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES) device. CES is the noninvasive application of low levels of microcurrent (less than 1 milliampere) stimulation applied transcutaneously to the brain for therapeutic purposes. Physicians associate these devices with pain treatment centers and the management of chronic, severe pain, but CES can be efficacious for other conditions.

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References

1. Institute of Medicine. In Kohn LT, Corrigan JM, Donaldson MS (eds). To Err Is Human: Building a Safer Health System. Washington, DC, National Academy Press, 2000.
 
2. Institute for Safe Medication Practices [http://www.ismp.org/]. 1800 Byberry Road, Suite 810, Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006 Voice: 215.947.7797 Fax: 215.914.1492. Email ismpinfo@ismp.org.
 
3. Krupisky EM, Burakov AM, Karandashova GF, et al. The administration of transcranial electric treatment for affective disturbances therapy and alcoholic patients. Drug Alcohol Depend 1991;27:1–6.
 
4. Shealy CN, Cady RK, Wilkie RG, et al. Depression: a diagnostic, neurochemical profile and therapy with cranial electrotherapy simulation (CES). J Neurol Orthop Med Surg 1989;10:319–321.
 
5. Shealy CN, Cady RK, Wilkie RG, et al. Cerebral Spinal Fluid and Plasma Neurochemicals: Response to Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation. J Neurol Orthop Med Surg 1998;18:94–97.
 
6. Kirsch DL. The Science Behind Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation. Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, Medical Scope Publishing Corporation, 2002.