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Start Loving Your Trips to the Dentist!
Many of us get very anxious or even develop a phobia about going to the dentist, and for some this
can become quite extreme. However, a recent study shows that a tiny cranial electrotherapy
stimulation (CES) device can significantly reduce dental anxiety [1]…
The study in Nigeria was carried out to assess the therapeutic efficacy of three treatments for dental anxiety
– relaxation therapy (REL), cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES), and a combination treatment of
relaxation therapy and CES for the treatment of dental anxiety.
40 men and women over the age of 18 took part in the trial. They had all been suffering oral pain conditions
for at least three months, verified by a dentist, and had high anxiety scores on the Modified Dental Anxiety
Scale (MDAS) of over 14.25.
They were split into 4 groups and randomly allocated to one of four groups – the relaxation therapy group,
the CES treatment group, both treatments simultaneously group and the no treatment control group.
During the relaxation therapy session, subjects listened to 30 minutes of relaxation training that was played
on an MP-3 audio recorder via head phones. Subjects in the combined relaxation and CES treatment group
did a 45 minute CES treatment while listening to the relaxation instructions. Subjects in the CES treatment
group completed a 45 minute CES treatment.
Each of the 3 treatments significantly decreased dental anxiety from pre-test to post-test. The study
concluded that the CES was as effective at decreasing dental anxiety as relaxation therapy and the
combined treatment group, though CES is easier to use compared to learning relaxation techniques.
The device used in the study was an Alpha-Stim. The Alpha-Stim AID is a CES device and one of the most
researched in its class, with more than 60 completed research studies and published reports, and several
more underway. It has a sleek, modern design with digital display, similar in look to the latest phone or i-pod.
Peer-reviewed published outcome studies show that 93% of patients report significant relief from their
anxiety, stress, depression and insomnia after use. The effects of Alpha-Stim are usually immediate,
cumulative and long lasting. Because of this, many practitioners use the Alpha-Stim in their treatment
programmes at their clinics, as well as provide or advise the device for their patients to use at home.
The Alpha-Stim microcurrent waveform activates particular groups of nerve cells that are located at the
brainstem. These groups of nerve cells produce the chemicals serotonin and acetylcholine which can affect
the chemical activity of nerve cells that are both nearby and at more distant sites in the nervous system. By
changing the electrical and chemical activity of certain nerve cells in the brainstem, the Alpha-Stim appears
to amplify activity in some areas of the brain, and diminish activity in others. This induces feelings of
calmness, relaxation and increased mental focus, decreasing stress, reducing agitation and stabilising mood.
These effects can be produced after a single treatment, and repeated treatments have been shown to
increase the strength and duration of these effects. In some cases, effects have been stable and permanent,
suggesting that the electrical and chemical changes made by Alpha-Stim technology have led to a re-tuning
back to normal functioning.
The Alpha-Stim AID retails from £399 and is available from www.alpha-stim.co.uk or 0843 289 7227.
NOTES T EDITORS
References
[1] Kolesos ON, Osionwo HO, Akkhigbe. The role of relaxation therapy and cranial electrotherapy
stimulation in the management of dental anxiety in Nigeria. ISOR Journal of Dental and Medical Sciences,
2013, 10(4): 51-57.
[2] Gibson, Thomas H. and O'Hair, Donald E. Cranial application of low level transcranial electrotherapy vs.
relaxation instruction in anxious patients. American Journal of Electromedicine, 4(1):18-21, 1987.
Quality of the Research
Strength of this clinical study include: (1) The use of a randomized quasi-experimental research design that
had pre-post measures; (2) use of valid and reliable MDAS scale; and (3) The cut-off score for dental anxiety
on the MDAS in this study was established in a previous pilot study.
Limitations include: (1) The small N, there were 10 subjects in each of the 4 groups; and (2) CES treatments
were individualized for each subject, thus there was a lack of standardization of CES current. The finding of
this study is that CES significantly decreases dental anxiety, is as effective in decreasing anxiety as
relaxation, and is easier to use than learning relaxation techniques is consistent with previous findings by
Gibson et al, in 1987. The finding that CES significantly decreases anxiety is also consistent with other
Alpha-Stim CES studies that found CES significantly decreases anxiety.
The Alpha-Stim has FDA approval in the US
CASE STUDIES AND CLINICAL STUDIES FOR VARIOUS HEALTH CONDITIONS AVAILABLE
SPOKESPEOPLE
Dr Jo Krystyna Zagorska MA. M.Sc. Ph.D(Psychology). Chartered Psychologist BPS, Accredited Cognitive
Behavioural Therapist BABCP, Occupational Psychologist, Certificate in Occupational Testing Level A&B
BPS. www.psychologicalservicesuk.co.uk
Dr. Lesley Parkinson – Consultant, Clinical-Psychologist, Specialist in Neuropsycho-Physiology
Possibly the UK’s most experienced consultant clinical-psychologist in BioFeedback, Neurofeedback,
Hemoencephalography and quantitative electro-encephalographic assessment (qEEG) and brain health.
Caroline Carr Dip Adv Hyp, BA (Hons) is a clinical hypnotherapist, best-selling author and life coach with
over 20 years’ experience helping people overcome depression, anxiety and confidence issues. Her
consulting room is in Harley Street, London. For more information on Caroline see www.carolinecarr.com
Caroline is also the author of LIVING WITH DEPRESSION, and HOW NOT TO WORRY. She has appeared
on national television and radio including This Morning, ITV1 and Woman’s Hour, BBC radio 4. She also
appears regularly in the national press.
Richard Morley – one of only a few Certificated NLP and Health Practitioners in the UK, and a Master
Practitioner and Trainer of NLP. He is also a Practitioner of Clinical Hypnotherapy, Full Member of the British
Society of Clinical Hypnosis, a Tutor and Supervisor with the London College of Clinical Hypnotherapy and
an approved therapist for the National Smoking Cessation Institute. See www.hypnonlp.co.uk
Dr Chris Steele MBE – British medical doctor well known for his many media appearances. He is the
resident doctor on ITV's This Morning daytime magazine show. He appeared on the very first show in 1988
and still appears on the show every week. He qualified as a doctor in 1968 and has worked as a general
practitioner in South Manchester ever since.
Further Information
For more information, case studies and images call Ian and Jenny Liddle, Excellart, on: 01761 413 022
email: info@excellart.co.uk, Website: www.excellart.co.uk
ENDS