Quantitative analysis of the electroencephalogram during cranial electrotherapy stimulation

• Published in: Clinical neurophysiology Vol. 112; no. 11; pp. 2075 - 2083
• Main Authors: Schroeder, M.J, Barr, R.E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Shannon Elsevier Ireland Ltd 01.11.2001; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Adult; Alpha Rhythm; Beta Rhythm; Biological and medical sciences; Brain - physiopathology; Cranial electrotherapy stimulation; Cross-Over Studies; Double-Blind Method; Electric Stimulation Therapy; Electrodiagnosis. Electric activity recording; Electroencephalogram; Electroencephalography; Humans; Instrumentation; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Male; Medical sciences; Nervous system; Electroencephalogram; Cranial electrotherapy stimulation; Instrumentation; Human; Electrodiagnosis; Nervous system diseases; Electrotherapy; Treatment efficiency; Electroencephalography; Neurological disorder; Quantitative analysis; Behavioral disorder
• DOI: 10.1016/S1388-2457(01)00657-5
• ISSN: 1388-2457

Objective: Normal individuals were used to quantitate electroencephalographic (EEG) changes during concurrent administration of 0.5 and 100 Hz cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES). Methods: Twelve normal, right-handed males were used in a randomized, double-blind crossover design study. A 3 amplifier system incorporating noise-cancellation was used to collect one channel of EEG (O1-Cz configuration) for 30 min. Either 0.5, 100 Hz, or sham CES treatment was administered for 20 min of each session. Statistical analyses were applied to time- and frequency-domain EEG variables. Results: Relative to sham control, 0.5 and 100 Hz CES caused the alpha band mean frequency to shift downward. Additionally, 100 Hz CES also caused a decrease of the alpha band median frequency and beta band power fraction. Conclusions: Both 0.5 and 100 Hz CES provide frequency distribution shifts that suggest beneficial changes in mental state. However, compared to 0.5 Hz CES, 100 Hz CES effected a greater overall change. It is suggested that similar tests be performed on individuals with various behavioral and neurological disorders to determine if comparable EEG changes can be realized and correlated with beneficial effects of CES therapy.