Alpha-Stim
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2201 Garrett Morris Parkway © Copyright 2010 Electromedical Products International, Inc. Alpha-Stim® is registered in the US Patent and Trademark office and worldwide. 
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Celebrating 29 Years 1981-2010 The Alpha-Stim® SCSStressed? |
Wet the clips with the enclosed conductive |
Press the left-hand button to switch on, and press the right-hand button to select 20 or 60 minutes. |
Adjust the intensity of the stimulation using the dial on the side. |
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What does it feel like?
You may feel a slight tingling sensation under the electrodes, but it is not necessary to feel this in order to achieve results. Most people feel nothing at all except positive results.
How can the Alpha-Stim® SCS help?
The Alpha-Stim® SCS empowers you to control your anxiety, depression, and/or insomnia. Used just 20 to 60 minutes every day, every other day, or on an as-needed basis, it can help induce a relaxed state and enable the user to focus attention on the task at hand. The Alpha-Stim® SCS is well tolerated and very safe in contrast to drugs, many of which have been proven to have undesirable side effects and can be addictive.
The Alpha-Stim® SCS leaves the mind alert. The person undergoing CES treatment will often report a pleasant, relaxed feeling of well-being. Anxiety reduction is usually experienced during treatment, but may be seen hours later, or even the day after treatment. Depression and insomnia control is generally experienced after one to two weeks of daily treatment.
Maintenance of a relaxed, yet alert state is generally achieved with treatments three times per week. As a result, the Alpha-Stim® SCS is suitable for clinical or home use.
What scientific research has been conducted?
At present, there are over 125 research studies on CES in humans and 29 experimental animal studies. The overwhelming majority of the scientific research is extremely positive. No significant lasting side effects have been reported.
Harvard University School of Public Health, Department of Health Policy and Management found: "The meta-analysis of anxiety showed CES to be significantly more effective than sham (P<.05)." (Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials of cranial electrostimulation: efficacy in treating selected psychological and physiological conditions by Dr. Sidney Klawansky et al. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 183(7):478-485, 1995.
What are the typical results?
In recent surveys, physicians and patients reported the following results using Alpha-Stim® CES technology:
Physician Post Marketing Survey of Alpha-Stim® Patients
Condition |
N* |
Slight |
|
Moderate |
Marked |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Anxiety |
349 |
6.30% |
11.17% |
25.50% |
57.02% |
94% |
Depression |
184 |
10.33% |
16.85% |
20.65% |
52.18% |
90% |
Stress |
259 |
6.95% |
14.29% |
27.03% |
51.74% |
93% |
Insomnia |
135 |
20.74% |
12.59% |
25.19% |
41.48% |
79% |
Results of using Alpha-Stim® technology by physicians. For additional information see the book: The Science Behind Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation, 2nd Ed. by Dr. Daniel L. Kirsch. Medical Scope Publishing Corporation, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, 2002.
Peer-Reviewed Outcomes on Alpha-Stim® Patients’ Self-Reports
Condition |
N* |
Slight 0-24% |
Fair 25-49% |
Moderate 50-74% |
Marked 75-100% |
Significant >25% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Anxiety (alone) |
128 |
10.16% |
22.66% |
32.81% |
34.38% |
90% |
Anxiety (with other) |
370 |
8.92% |
22.97% |
32.97% |
35.14% |
91% |
Anxiety/Depression |
58 |
5.17% |
32.76% |
32.76% |
29.31% |
95% |
Depression (alone) |
53 |
13.21% |
20.75% |
43.40% |
22.64% |
87% |
Depression (with other) |
265 |
10.94% |
23.02% |
35.09% |
30.94% |
89% |
Stress |
123 |
4.88% |
24.39% |
31.71% |
39.02% |
95% |
Insomnia |
163 |
6.13% |
28.83% |
28.83% |
36.20% |
94% |
Results of using Alpha-Stim® technology at home for a minimum of 3 weeks. For additional information see the article: Is microcurrent stimulation effective in pain management? An additional perspective by Dr. Ray B. Smith. American Journal of Pain Management, 11(2):62-66, 2001.
*N refers to number of patients.
“This is the way we’re supposed to be all the time”*
Michael Hutchison
[CES] sounded like something both interesting and desirable to me, which is why I was sitting there beside the Alpha-Stim® with those electrodes clamped to my earlobes... The machine was turned on, and I felt a tingling sensation of tiny pinpricks in my earlobes, as a few microamps of 0.5 Hz passed into my brain... the shift in consciousness was quick and unmistakable. My body immediately felt heavier, as if I was sinking down into myself. I realized I was becoming extremely relaxed, and all of a sudden, there I was. It was that feeling you get when all at once you blink your eyes and realize that you’re awake. Not that you had literally been sleeping, but you hadn’t been paying attention to things as carefully as you might, you had been sleepwalking through your day, and now you’re awake and things are very, very clear. It was not a feeling of being in some strange stoned or otherworldly state, but rather a feeling of being exactly as you should be, at home in yourself a feeling that your brain was operating correctly, efficiently, clearly.... My body was no longer heavy, but very light, full of energy. The feeling was one of openness, clarity, as though I had been wearing sunglasses for weeks and had suddenly taken them off. It was no big thing. Nothing special, really, except I couldn’t help but feel that this is the way were supposed to be all the time. From the book Megabrain by Michael Hutchison, Ballantine Books, New York, pages 125-126.
*Individual results will vary.
What you get
Each Alpha-Stim® SCS is packaged complete with
• compact Alpha-Stim® SCS console unit
• one set of Earclip Electrodes
• 256 Earclip Electrode Pads
• 15 ml bottle of Alpha Conducting Solution™ for moistening the electrodes
• 9-volt battery (good for about 100 treatments)
• convenient genuine leather carrying case which can be worn on a belt
• illustrated owner’s manual
This is everything necessary to begin to use the Alpha-Stim® SCS for management of anxiety, depression and/or insomnia right away.
Five-year warranty
Each Alpha-Stim® SCS is warranted to be free from defects of workmanship and materials under normal use for a period of five years except for replacement of batteries and accessories. See Owners Manual for complete details.
Prescribing Information
CE conformity statement for Europe: The Alpha-Stim® SCS is a Class IIa, Type B medical device. It has been independently tested by outside agencies in order to provide assurance of conformity to applicable standards for medical equipment safety and electromagnetic compliance.
Caution statement for United States: Federal law (USA only) restricts this device to sale by, or on the order of, a licensed health care practitioner. Outside the USA it is available world wide without a prescription but consultation with a qualified health care professional is recommended for difficult and unresponsive problems or when used with pharmaceuticals or other therapeutic intervention.
Indications: Alpha-Stim® cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES) technology is continuously being subjected to rigorous study and evaluation by the international medical community. Findings to date indicate that the Alpha-Stim® SCS is an effective treatment with broad applications for a variety of anxiety disorders, or for the short term relief of the symptoms of anxiety, depression and/or insomnia. In many cases it is the sole therapeutic method required. As with any therapeutic intervention, not all people will respond to the Alpha-Stim® SCS. The degree of efficacy will vary with the nature of the problem being treated and the overall health of the person.
Contraindications: Alpha-Stim® SCS may affect the operation of cardiac pacemakers (particularly demand type pacemakers).
Precautions: For external use only. Do not allow children to use or handle this device without adult supervision. Do not operate potentially dangerous machinery or vehicles during, and in some cases, for several hours after treatment. Safety of stimulation has not been established during pregnancy. There have been isolated reports of blood pressure being lowered by CES so care should be taken while using the Alpha-Stim® SCS with high blood pressure medication.
Adverse effects: Adverse effects are usually mild and self-limiting. Adverse effects seen in approximately 4,541 patients in controlled, open, uncontrolled conditions, and by physician survey and reasonably associated with the use of CES are dizziness (6 cases, 0.13%), skin irritation/electrode burns (5 cases, 0.11%), and headaches (9 cases, 0.20%). Prolonged CES treatment at higher than necessary currents may cause dizziness or nausea that can last for hours to days. Treatment immediately prior to going to sleep may cause difficulty sleeping due to increased alertness. It is recommended that CES be used at least 3 hours before going to sleep. Paradoxical reactions such as hyperexcited states, increased anxiety, and sleep disturbances may occur. If the Alpha-Stim® SCS does not control your anxiety, depression and/or insomnia within 3 weeks, discontinue use and consult your physician.
Currently, the Alpha-Stim® SCS is not licensed for sale in Canada.
Technical details
Power Source
one 9-volt battery (included)
Current
10 to 500 µA continuously adjustable
Frequency
0.5 Hz (pulses per second)
Waveform
bipolar asymmetrical rectangular waves, 50% duty cycle, 0 net current
Mechanical
height: 10 cm, width: 7.5 cm, depth: 2.3 cm, weight: 106 gm with battery
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Type B Equipment. |
See instructions for use. |
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Manufactured and marketed by:
Electromedical Products International, Inc.
2201 Garrett Morris Parkway
Mineral Wells, Texas 76067-9034 USA
Tel. 1-800-367-7246 in the USA and CANADA, +940-328-0788, Fax +940-328-0888
E-Mail: alpha-stim@epii.com
Authorized Representative:
MediMark Europe
11, rue Émile Zola - BP 2332, 38033 Genoble Cedex 2 - France
Tél.: +33 (0)4 76 86 43 22, Fax: +33 (0)4 76 17 19 82
E-Mail: info@medimark-europe.com