My gut says no, my nose smells a stink, I think I hear something quacking… but I’m not finding much in the way of real scientific evaluations. The biggest red flag for me is that it seems to cure or treat a wide variety of unrelated illnesses and conditions. That always says Snake Oil to me. My friend is convinced it will turn her life around. I don’t want to harsh her buzz if it makes her happy, but I’d like to be able to point her to some specific evidence as to its effectiveness, or lack of.
Thanks.
Given that all of the providers and boosters are heavy on “holistic,” “wellness,” “therapy” and various Doctor™ variaions, I’d bet against it being worthwhile.
AnNIH study in 2009 concluded none of the results were statistically significant. I would keep the door open for something like this only because other electrical stimulation therapies do have clinical value; the notion itself is not woo. The implementation and use may be WooMax, however.
A therapy that cures disease by restoring the “natural frequency” to your cells…
I am sure it does work on some kinds of pain. As a placebo if nothing else.
As far as electrical stimulators go though, nothing compares to Interferential Stimulators. I would have one in my living room if the FDA would let me…
http://www.mccc.edu/~behrensb/documents/InterferentialCurrentTherapy11.pdf
Thank you, Amateur Barbarian. That is one of the studies I saw before I posted. That was for back pain. I think my friend wants to try it for depression. It certainly seems like woo, but if it makes her feel better, I’m not gonna say anything.
Depression…
Three months seems a very long time. Time enough to get over it due to any number of reasons other than mini jumper cables attached to ones ears.
Still ECT has the same basic principle (current through brain) and has been proven to work (though no one knows why)…so maybe worth a shot. SSRIs don’t work much better than placebo anyway, and electricity will certainly have less side effects. A $100 magic feather if nothing else.
Thanks Fishtar. 2 to 3 hours a day for months? Sounds like a magic feather. Who gots time for that? Say, are there any home ECT kits available? Besides curing depression, it would be a hoot to bring out at parties!
Here is a NY times article on another brain zap technique.
Perhaps I should go French kiss a light socket…