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<Previous Page
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 The
Use of Microcurrent Electrical Therapy and Cranial
Electrotherapy Stimulation in Pain ControlArun D.
Kulkarni, MD, Ray B. Smith, PhD
Clinical Practice of Alternative Medicine. Volume 2, Number 2, Summer
2001
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points were not sought out in the placement of the probe electrodes in
the present study. The operating manual accompanying the device
suggested that the sharp spike wave form which initiates each current
pulse from the device negates the need to search out areas of less
skin resistance when treating with it.
Methodology
Twenty refractive chronic pain patients in a hospital pain clinic near
Bombay, India, were added to the study in the order in which they
presented at the clinic. Ages ranged from 30 to 75 years (mean = 44
years). Fifteen were females. Their type or areas of pain are given in
Table 1. All signed voluntary consent forms. Our hospital does not
have an IRB, but the clinical oversight group approved the study prior
to its initiation.
Patients were asked to come to the hospital daily, Monday through
Friday, for 3 consecutive weeks, for 1-hour treatment sessions. In
addition, they were given no
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pain medications during the study and were requested to avoid taking
analgesics during the study.
The treatment strategies available under this protocol were either
CES, MET via probe electrodes, MET via self-adhesive electrodes, or a
combination of CES and one or the other type of MET electrode. MET,
when given, was given by either probes or self-adhesive electrodes at
600 microamperes. CES was given to all patients in which clinical
depression or anxiety states appeared to accompany their pain
complaint. The current intensity of the CES was regulated by the
patient, all of whom were instructed to turn the current up until they
felt a bit lightheaded and then turn it down to their comfort level.
The intensities used ranged from 100 to 300 microamperes, and often
varied from day to day. Both CES and MET treatments were given with
the Alpha-Stim 100 device which applies CES via ear clip electrodes
(Electromedical Products International, Inc., Mineral Wells, Texas,
76067, USA). Figure 1 shows how the CES ear clip electrodes are
applied. They are put as high on the |
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TABLE 1
Subject Characteristics, Treatment Parameters, and Treatment Outcome
|
Pt |
Sex |
Age |
Type of Pain and Duration |
No.
Rxs |
Rx
Given* |
Pre-Score** |
Post-Score |
% Gain |
|
1 |
F |
30 |
Bilateral scapular, 5 yrs |
15 |
C,A |
7 |
0 |
100% |
|
2 |
F |
30 |
Radiating, neck to hand, 10 yrs |
15 |
C,A |
8 |
1 |
88% |
|
3 |
F |
62 |
Rheum arth, bilateral, knees, 4 months |
5 |
C,P |
8 |
0 |
100% |
|
4 |
F |
40 |
Low back pain, 7
yrs |
15 |
C |
3 |
2 |
33% |
|
5 |
F |
3.5 |
Radiating pain, C7 to right arm, 6 yrs |
12 |
C,P |
8 |
0 |
100% |
|
6 |
M |
41 |
Back pain, T8, 1
year |
10 |
C,A |
5 |
1 |
80% |
|
7 |
F |
30 |
L3 and L4 pain,
6 yrs |
12 |
C,A |
8 |
0 |
100% |
|
8 |
F |
46 |
Low back, 2 yrs, both knees, 1 yr |
10 |
C |
6 |
3 |
50% |
|
9 |
M |
52 |
Ankilosing
spondilosis, 10 yrs, rheum arth |
10 |
C,A |
8 |
7 |
13% |
|
10 |
M |
40 |
Back pain, 4 yrs |
15 |
C,P |
7 |
0 |
100% |
|
11 |
F |
48 |
Fibromyalgia, 1
yr |
10 |
C |
5 |
0.5 |
90% |
|
12 |
F |
41 |
Fibromyalgia, 3
yrs |
8 |
C |
5 |
0.5 |
90% |
|
13 |
F |
31 |
Rheum arth, right leg to toe, 5 months |
10 |
C,P |
4 |
1.5 |
63% |
|
14 |
M |
75 |
Low back, knee,
7 yrs |
10 |
C |
5 |
5 |
0% |
|
15 |
F |
40 |
Pain, left heel,
1 yr |
10 |
P |
6 |
6 |
0% |
|
16 |
F |
65 |
Sciatica, 3 yrs |
8 |
C,P |
7 |
6 |
14% |
|
17 |
F |
42 |
Right knee pain, stiffness, 7 months |
2 |
C,P |
8 |
0 |
100% |
|
18 |
F |
42 |
Cervical spondilosis, 2 yrs |
15 |
C,A |
8 |
7 |
13% |
|
19 |
M |
44 |
Cervical spondilosis, 2 months |
5 |
C,P |
8 |
0.5 |
94% |
|
20 |
F |
44 |
Bilateral knee, osteoarthritis, 4 yrs |
7 |
C,A |
10 |
10 |
0% |
* P indicates probes; C, cranial electrotherapy
stimulation; A, self-adhesive pads.
** 10-point visual analogue scale. |
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Clinical Practice of Alternative Medicine • Volume 2 • Number 2 • Summer 2001 |
Used with permission of Electromedical Products
International, Inc.
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