Efficiency of transcranial electrostimulation on anxiety and insomnia symptoms during a washout period in depressed patients. A double-blind study.

Abstract

In order to test the efficacy of cerebral electrostimulation (electrosleep) as an alternative to drug therapy for the treatment of anxiety and insomnia, we conducted a double-blind study in a sample of 21 depressed inpatients submitted to a 5-day period of drug washout on admission to the psychiatric department. During this withdrawal period, anxiety and insomnia were exacerbated in the placebo group, whereas anxiety decreased and sleep duration improved in the active treatment group, with a divergent evolution during the 5-day washout period. The depressive criteria did not respond differentially to treatment, however. Thus, the effects of this drug washout period are markedly attenuated by cerebral electrostimulation, which is of possible interest in the management of psychotropic drug withdrawal.

• Authors: P Philip, J Demotes-Mainard, M Bourgeois, J D Vincent
• Journal: Biological psychiatry (Biol Psychiatry) Vol. 29 Issue 5 Pg. 451-6 (Mar 01 1991) ISSN: 0006-3223 [Print] United States
• PMID: 2018818 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Placebos
• Psychotropic Drugs

Topics

• Adult
• Anxiety Disorders (etiology, therapy)
• Depressive Disorder (drug therapy, psychology)
• Double-Blind Method
• Electric Stimulation Therapy
• Hospitalization
• Humans
• Male
• Placebos
• Psychotropic Drugs (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Sleep (physiology)
• Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders (etiology, therapy)
• Substance Withdrawal Syndrome (etiology, therapy)