Journal of Depression and Anxiety
Open Access

Abstract

A Novel Medical Device that Relieves Anxiety, Depression and Pain While Improving Sleep in a Population of Teachers

Tracey B Kirsch, John Kuhn, Larry R Price, Jeff Marksberry and Steven G Haltiwanger*

Objectives: This study was conducted to confirm the benefits of Alpha-Stim® cranial electrotherapy stimulation
(CES) technology as an effective non-drug treatment for anxiety, mood, sleep, and pain in teachers following a
successful pilot study at the Leigh Academy, Dartford, United Kingdom. The second objective was to determine
whether the new smartphone app was a reliable method of evaluating the effectiveness, based on the pilot study in
the UK, other prior surveys, and more than 100 prospective research studies conducted on Alpha-Stim technology
conducted from 1981 through 2019.
Methods: Thirty-five teachers (29 females and 6 males) in the Mineral Wells, Texas Independent School District,
volunteered to participate in a study to reduce anxiety, depression, insomnia, and pain by passing a mild electric
current with specific waveform characteristics through their brains via electrodes that clip on their ears. It was a sixweek
open-label design where participants tracked their progress using a new smartphone app to record their
symptoms at least five days per week. The subjects were encouraged to use the device for 20-60 minutes any time
of day and for any indication.
Results: The statistical analyses revealed highly significant (p values <0.001) for anxiety, depression, insomnia,
and pain. The effect size Cohen's d values from a total of 237 treatments were greater than two standard deviations
for all outcome measures indicating a high level of practical change from baseline to posttest supporting the
capability of Alpha-Stim CES technology in reducing self-perceived symptoms and the ability to monitor progress on
the Alpha-Stim app.
Conclusion: This treatment effect with Alpha-Stim cranial electrotherapy stimulation on anxiety, insomnia,
depression, and pain was consistent with prior surveys and confirmed the precision of the new app in determining
progress from a single treatment and a series of treatments.