Research and Reviews
Research and published reports using Alpha-Stim®
technology are listed by primary investigator, title and year in chronological order with the most recent publication listed first. To see these reports sorted by category, use the navigational bars on the left for pain, anxiety, insomnia or depression. This bibliography is divided into the following sections:
Full Disclosure of All Alpha-Stim Studies With Negative or Indeterminate Outcomes
Randomized Controlled Trials
Mellen, Ronald R. and Mackey, Wade. Reducing sheriff’s officers’ symptoms of depression using cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES): a control experimental study. The Correctional Psychologist, 41(1):9-15, 2009.
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Mellen, Ronald R., and Mackey Wade. Cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES) and the reduction of stress symptoms in a sheriff's jail security and patrol officer population. American Jails, 22(5): 32-38, 2008
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Tan, Gabriel, Rintala, Diana H., Thornby, John, Yang, June, Wade, Walter, and Vasilev, Christine. Using cranial electrotherapy stimulation to treat pain associated with spinal cord injury. Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development, 43(4):461-474, 2006. Presented at the South Central VA Health Care Network’s Pain Management Initiative 2nd Annual Pain Management Symposium: Campaign Against Pain. Jackson, Mississippi, April 7, 2006.
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Cork, Randall C., Wood, Patrick, Ming, Norbert, Shepherd, Clifton, Eddy, James, Price, Larry. The effect of cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES) on pain associated with fibromyalgia. The Internet Journal of Anesthesiology. 8(2):2004.
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Tan, G., Rintala, D., Herrington, R., Yang, J., Wade, W., Vasilev, C. and Shanti, B.F. Treating spinal cord injury pain with cranial electrotherapy stimulation (abstract). Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, 26(3), 2003. Poster presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Paraplegia Society, Las Vegas, Nevada, September 2-4, 2003.
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Lichtbroun, Alan S., Raicer, Mei-Ming C., and Smith, Ray B. The treatment of fibromyalgia with cranial electrotherapy stimulation. Journal of Clinical Rheumatology, 7(2):72-78, 2001. Presented at the Fifteenth Annual International Symposium on Acupuncture and Electro-Therapeutics, Columbia University, New York, October 1999.
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Tomaszek, David E., and Morehead, Kenneth. The use of CES in reducing pain in spinal pain patients. 2001.
Schroeder, M.J., and Barr, R.E. Quantitative analysis of electroencephalogram during cranial electrotherapy stimulation. Clinical Neurophysiology. 112:2075-2083, 2001. Doctoral dissertation, The
Graduate School of the University of Texas at Austin, 191 pages, 1999
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Sizer P, Sawyer S, Brismee J, Jones K., Bruce J., Slauterbeck J., Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center and University Medical Center, Lubbock, Texas, USA. The effect of microcurrent stimulation on postoperative pain after patellar tendon-bone anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Presented at the American Physical Therapy Association Annual Conference and Exposition, Indianapolis, Indiana; June, 2000.
Tan, Gabriel, Monga, Trilok, and Thornby, John. Efficacy of microcurrent electrical stimulation on pain severity, psychological distress, and disability. American Journal of Pain Management, 10(1):35-44, 2000. Unedited abstract with rebuttal to the editor. This is a VA study with a negative outcome (also see Tan, 2006, above, showing this same research group continuing their use of Alpha-Stim® with good results).
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Winick, Reid L. Cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES): a safe and effective low cost means of anxiety control in a dental practice. General Dentistry, 47(1):50-55, 1999.
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Heffernan, Michael. The effect of variable microcurrents on EEG spectrum and pain control. Canadian Journal of Clinical Medicine, 4(10):4-11, 1997.
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Heffernan, Michael. Comparative effects of microcurrent stimulation on EEG spectrum and correlation dimension. Integrative Physiological and Behavioral Science, 31(3):202-209, 1996.
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Voris, Marshall D., et. al., and Good, Shirley. Treating sexual offenders using cranial electrotherapy stimulation. Medical Scope Monthly, 3(11):14-18, 1996.
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Voris, Marshall, D. An investigation of the effectiveness of cranial electrotherapy stimulation in the treatment of anxiety disorders among outpatient psychiatric patients, impulse control parolees and pedophiles. Delos Mind/Body Institute, Dallas and Corpus Cristi, TX, Pp. 1-19, 1995.
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Heffernan, Michael. The effect of a single cranial electrotherapy stimulation on multiple stress measures. The Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, 147:60-64, 1995. Presented at the Eighth International Montreux Congress on Stress, Montreux Switzerland, February 1996.
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Overcash, Stephen J, et. al. The effects of cranial electrotherapy stimulation and multisensory cognitive therapy on the personality and anxiety levels of substance abuse patients. American Journal of Electromedicine, 6(2):105-111, 1989.
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Zimmerman, Stephen I, et. al. Biofeedback and electromedicine reduce the cycle of pain spasm pain in low back patients. Medical Electronics, 117:108-120, June 1989. Doctoral dissertation (SZ), City University Los Angeles, 284 pages, 1987.
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Roth, Peter M, et. al. Effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for controlling pain associated with orthodontic tooth movement. American Journal of Orthodontics, 90(2):132-138, 1986.
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Brotman, Philip. Low-intensity transcranial electrostimulation improves the efficacy of thermal biofeedback and quieting reflex training in the treatment of classical migraine headache. American Journal of Electromedicine, 6(5):120-123, 1989. Doctoral dissertation, City University Los Angeles, 117 pages, 1986.
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Gibson, Thomas H, et. al. Cranial application of low level transcranial electrotherapy vs. relaxation instruction in anxious patients. American Journal of Electromedicine, 4(1):18-21, 1987. Doctoral dissertation (TG), California School of Professional Psychology, 152 pages, 1983.
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Open Clinical Trials
Bystritsky, Alexander, Moody, Teena, Hembacher, Emily, Hoffman, Jordan, Moller, Hayley, Feusner, Jamie. Effects of cranial electrotherapy stimulation on brain activity in the resting state. Poster presented at the American Society of Neuropsychopharmacology (ACNP), Hollywood, Florida, December 8, 2009.
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Holubec, Jerry T. Cumulative Response from Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation (CES) for Chronic Pain. Practical Pain Management, 9(9):80-83, 2009.
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Bystritsky, Alexander, Kerwin, Lauren and Feusner, Jamie. A pilot study of cranial electrotherapy stimulation for generalized anxiety disorder, Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 69:412-417, 2008.
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Kennerly, Richard. Changes in quantitative EEG and low resolution tomography following cranial electrotherapy stimulation. Ph.D. Dissertation, the University of North Texas. 529 pp., 81 tables, 233 figures, 171 references, 2006.
Kennerly, Richard. QEEG analysis of cranial electrotherapy: a pilot study. Journal of Neurotherapy (8)2, 2004. Presented at the International Society for Neuronal Regulation annual conference, September 18-21, 2003 in Houston, Texas.
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Tae-Kyu Lee, Kwan-Sung Lee, Shin-Soo Jeun, Young-Kil Hong, Chun-Kun Park, Joon-Ki, Moon-Chan Kim. The control of chronic pain using microcurrent electrical therapy and cranial electrotherapy stimulation. From the Department of Neurosurgery, Kangnam St. Mary’s Hospital, College Of Medicine, and The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea. Presented at the Korea Society for Stereotactic & Functional Neurosurgery April 14, 2004.
Kulkarni, Arun D. and Smith, Ray B. The use of microcurrent electrical therapy and cranial electrotherapy stimulation in pain control. Clinical Practice of Alternative Medicine. 2(2):99-102, 2001.
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Overcash, Stephen J. Cranial electrotherapy stimulation in patients suffering from acute anxiety disorders. American Journal of Electromedicine, 16(1):49-51, 1999.
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Smith, Ray B, et. al. The use of cranial electrotherapy stimulation to block fear perception in phobic patients. Journal of Current Therapeutic Research, 51(2):249-253, 1992.
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Case Series and Case Reports
Eidelman, William S. Control of cigarette cravings with cranial electrotherapy stimulation. The Townsend Letter for Doctors, 311(6): 81-85, 2009.
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Bracciano, Albert G., Kokesh, Stephanie, Martinez, Abe, Meier, Melissa, and Moore, Kathleen. Cranial electrotherapy stimulation in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder. Poster presented at Creighton University St. Albert's Day, Omaha, Nebraska, March 31, 2009.
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Mellen, Ronald R. and Mitchell, Stephanie. Cranial electrotherapy stimulation: a case study. The Correctional Psychologist, 40(4):4-8, 2008.
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Childs, Allen and Price, Larry. Cranial electrotherapy stimulation reduces aggression in violent neuropsychiatric patients. Primary Psychiatry, 14(3):50-56, 2007. Presented at the American Psychiatric Association 160th Annual Meeting: Addressing Patient Needs. San Diego, California, May 23, 2007.
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Childs, Allen. Cranial electrotherapy stimulation reduces aggression in violent retarded population: a preliminary report. The Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, 17(4): 548-551, 2005.
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Overcash, Stephen. The effect of ROSHI protocol and cranial electrotherapy stimulation on a 9-year-old anxious, dyslexic male with attention deficit disorder: A case study. Journal of Neurotherapy, 9(2):63-77, 2005.
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Plotnick, Stephen E. Finding hope: Alpha-Stim 100 may help clinicians yield better fibromyalgia treatment results. Advance for Directors in Rehabilitation, P. 82, May 2005.
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Frick, Ava. Microcurrent electrical therapy heals a recalcitrant wound in a horse. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 25(11): 418-422, 2005. Presented at Western Veterinary Conference, Las Vegas, NV, February 24, 2005.
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Kirsch, Daniel L. Postmarketing survey of Alpha-Stim CES patients. Summarized here and presented in detail in the book The Science Behind Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation, 2nd Ed., Medical Scope Publishing Corporation, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, 2002.
Smith, Ray B. Is microcurrent stimulation effective in pain management? An additional perspective. American Journal of Pain Management, 11(2):62-66, 2001.
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Clark, Nancy, Mills, Daniel & Marchant, Jeremy. Evaluation of the potential efficacy of the Alpha-Stim SCS in the horse. DeMontfort University Equestrian Centre and Field Station, Caythorpe, Lincolnshire, United Kingdom. January, 2000.
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Alpher, Elliott J. and Kirsch, Daniel L. Traumatic brain injury and full body reflex sympathetic dystrophy patient treated with cranial electrotherapy stimulation. American Journal of Pain Management, 8(4):124-128, 1998. Presented at the Ninth Annual Clinical Meeting of the American Academy of Pain Management, Atlanta, Georgia, September, 1998.
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Bauer, William. Neuroelectric Medicine. Journal of Bioelectricity, 2(2&3):159-180, 1983.
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Bauer, William. Electrical treatment of severe head and neck cancer pain. Archives of Otolaryngology, 109(6):382-383, 1983.
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Meta-Analyses, Commentaries and Review Articles
Zaghi, Soroush, Acar, Mariana, Hultgren, Brittney, Boggio, Paulo S. and Felipe Fregni. Noninvasive brain stimulation with low-intensity electrical currents: putative mechanisms of action for direct current and alternating current stimulation. Neuroscientist Online First. December, 2009, 24 pp. Note: The authors classify the Alpha-Stim with a group of AC devices, but admit that the effects may be highly dependent on the specific parameters of stimulation. Based on the most fundamental definitions of AC and DC, the Alpha-Stim waveform may be viewed as an AC because the current periodically changes direction. However, in the context of this review article, the Alpha-Stim waveform ought to be classified as a DC because the current changes direction only slowly, so much so that it is able to effect polarizing stimulation during the relatively long time that its current stays constant in one direction. We believe that polarization of the brain tissue in an overall stimulation session is not desirable. Therefore, the Alpha-Stim waveform changes direction periodically, but slowly, to effect a cumulative zero net current in the tissue under stimulation. Through the periodic, but slow, reversal of the polarization of the DC current, the Alpha-Stim waveform is able to inject a spectrum of low frequencies into the brain tissue to match frequencies with different receptors. This would not be possible to achieve with a strict DC waveform. Therefore, the Alpha-Stim is more appropriately described as a bi-polar DC waveform instead of an AC waveform which would suggest a relatively fast changing stimulation current in both its direction and intensity.
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Fisher, Chris. Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation For Mild Traumatic Brain Injury and Post-Concussion Syndrome. The Behavioral Medicine Report, October 24 , 2009. http://www.bmedreport.com/archives/6983
Mellon, Ron R. and Gillilan, Jason. Inmate Violence, Officer Protection and CES. Southern Concourse, 28, Summer 2009.
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Fisher, Chris. What is Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation (Part 1). The Behavioral Medicine Report, September 9, 2009. http://www.bmedreport.com/archives/5886
Fisher, Chris. What is Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation (Part 2). The Behavioral Medicine Report, September 30, 2009.http://www.bmedreport.com/archives/5920
Farina Woodbury, Michael A. Efecto de la microcorriente sobre síntomas, de ansiedad, depresión, insomnio y dolor. Galanus, 1(5):15-18, 2008.
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Kirsch, Daniel L. CES for mild traumatic brain injury. Practical Pain Management, 8(6):70-77, 2008.
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Kirsch, Daniel L. CES in the treatment of pain-related disorders. Practical Pain Management, 8(3):12-25, 2008.
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Kirsch, Daniel L. and Gilula, Marshall. CES in the treatment of insomnia: A review and meta-analysis. Practical Pain Management, 7(7):28-39, 2007
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Tan Gabriel and Jensen Mark P. Integrating complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) into multidisciplinary chronic pain treatment. In Multidisciplinary Chronic Pain Management: a Guidebook for Program Development and Excellence of Treatment. Schatman and Campbell (editors), Taylor & Francis, Pp. 75-99, 2007.
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Gilula, Marshall. Cranial electrotherapy stimulation and fibromyalgia. Expert Review of Devices, 4(4):489-495, 2007.
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Kirsch, Daniel L. and Gilula, Marshall. Cranial electrotherapy stimulation in the treatment of depression – Part 1. Practical Pain Management, 7(4):33-41, 2007
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Kirsch, Daniel L. and Gilula, Marshall. Cranial electrotherapy stimulation in the treatment of depression – Part 2. Practical Pain Management, 7(5):32-40, 2007.
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Sussman, Norman. Editor’s Note: What next? Overcoming treatment resistance. Primary Psychiatry. 2007;14(3):15-16.
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Kirsch, Daniel L. and Gilula, Marshall. A review and meta-analysis of cranial electrotherapy stimulation in the treatment of anxiety disorders – Part 1. Practical Pain Management, 7(2):40-47, 2007.
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Kirsch, Daniel L. and Gilula, Marshall. Cranial electrotherapy stimulation in the treatment of anxiety disorders: statistical considerations – Part 2. Practical Pain Management, 7(3):22-39, 2007.
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Tan, Gabriel, Alverez, Julie A., and Jensen, Mark P. Complementary and alternative medicine approaches in pain management. Journal of Clinical Psychology: In Session, 62(11):1419-1431, 2006.
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Kirsch, Daniel L. Cranial electrotherapy stimulation in the treatment of fibromyalgia. Practical Pain Management, 6(6):60-64,2006.
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Kirsch, Daniel L. Cranial electrotherapy stimulation for the treatment of anxiety, depression, insomnia and other conditions. Insert: Giordano, James. Illustrating how CES works. Natural Medicine, 23:118-120, 2006.
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Gilula, Marshall F., and Kirsch, Daniel L. Cranial electrotherapy stimulation review: a safer alternative to psychopharmaceuticals in the treatment of depression. Journal of Neurotherapy, 9(2):7-26, 2005. Presented at the International Society for Neuronal Regulation 12th Annual Conference, August 26-29, 2004 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
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Gilula, Marshall F. and Barach, Paul R. Cranial electrotherapy stimulation: a safe neuromedical treatment for anxiety, depression or insomnia. Southern Medical Journal. 97(12):1269-1270, 2004.
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Kirsch, Daniel, L. and Smith R. Cranial electrotherapy stimulation for anxiety, depression, insomnia, cognitive dysfunction, and pain. In Bioelectromagnetic Medicine. Paul J. Rosch, Ed. Marcel Dekker, New York, Pp 727-740, 2004.
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Debock, Patrick. European perspective: a comparison between TENS and MET. Physical Therapy Products. 28-33: September 2000.
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Mercola, Joseph M. and Kirsch, Daniel L. The basis for microcurrent electrical therapy in conventional medical practice. Journal of Advancement in Medicine, 8(2):107-120, 1995.
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Tutorials
Kirsch, Daniel L. Electromedical Treatment of Headaches. Practical Pain Management, 6(8):58-65, 2006.
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Kirsch, Daniel L. Microcurrent electrical therapy (MET): A tutorial. Practical Pain Management, 6(7):59-64, 2006.
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Kirsch, Daniel L. A practical protocol for electromedical treatment of pain. Chapter 61 in Pain Management: A Practical Guide for Clinicians (the textbook of the American Academy of Pain Management) edited by Richard S. Weiner, CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida, 2002.
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Kirsch, Daniel, L. Electromedicine: the other side of physiology. Chapter 60 in Pain Management: A Practical Guide for Clinicians (the textbook of the American Academy of Pain Management) edited by Richard S. Weiner, CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida, Pp 749-758, 2002.
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Full Disclosure of All Alpha-Stim Studies With Negative or Indeterminate Outcomes
Rose, Karen M., Taylor, Ann Gill, Bourguignon, Cheryl. Effects of cranial electrical stimulation on sleep disturbances, depressive symptoms, and caregivers of persons with Alzheimer's disease. Applied Nursing Research, 22:119-125, 2009.
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Scherder, E., Knol, D., van Someren, E., Deijen, J-B, Binnekade, R., Tilders, F. and Sergeant, J. Effects of low-frequency cranial electrostimulation on the rest-activity rhythm and salivary cortisol in Alzheimer's disease. Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair, 17(2):101-108, 2003.
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Tan, Gabriel, Monga, Trilok and Thornby, John. Efficacy of microcurrent stimulation on pain severity, psychological stress, and disability. American Journal of Pain Management, 10(1):35-44, 2000. Unedited abstract with rebuttal to the editor. This is a VA study with a negative outcome (also see Tan, 2006 and 2009, above, showing this same research group continuing their use of Alpha-Stim with good results).
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