Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation in Burned Patients

Phase 2

Completed

Conditions: Post Traumatic Stress Disorders
Burns

Interventions: Device: Alpha Stim 100 (Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation)

Registration Number: NCT00723008

Lead Sponsor: United States Army Institute of Surgical Research

Brief Summary: To find out if Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation is a useful treatment for people who have been burned and have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. CES may be helpful in giving relief to some or all of those symptoms.

Detailed Description: The purpose of this research study is to systematically determine if CES therapy is effective in managing post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the burn patient. Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation (CES) is the delivery of low-level electrical stimulation across the head, delivered with ear lobe electrode clips or self-adhesive electrode pads. CES in the current form has been used for the past 30 years to successfully treat anxiety, depression, insomnia and pain in a variety of patient populations. This FDA approved medical device is non-invasive and has no reported significant side effects. It will be used on patients undergoing outpatient rehabilitation in our burn center.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status: COMPLETED

Sex: All

Target Recruitment: 20

Inclusion Criteria

burned patients requiring outpatient physical or occupational therapy in the USAISR Burn Rehabilitation Gym or Center for the Intrepid
Able to read and speak English
Between ages of 18-65 years
Screen positive (score greater than 44) on the PCL-M/C instruments

Exclusion Criteria

pregnant patients
patients with implantable pacemakers or electronic stimulators
patients scoring below 44 on the PCL-M/C instrument
patients who previously used CES therapy

Study & Design

Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL

Study Design: CROSSOVER

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
A	Alpha Stim 100 (Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation)	Upon randomization, a double blinded Alpha Stim 100 device preset to the lowest effective setting (1/6) will be applied to the earlobes of the subject for one hour per day for 5 days per week for 4 weeks; after the blinded period is completed the patient will wear a different Alpha Stim device that has not been blinded for one hour per day for 5 days per week for 4 weeks, with settings at the patient's preference (1 to 6/6). Report of pain, anxiety will be assessed before and after each daily session during the 8 week period.
B	Alpha Stim 100 (Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation)	Upon randomization, a double blinded Alpha Stim 100 device preset to no stimulation (0/6)will be applied to the earlobes of the subject for one hour per day for 5 days per week for 4 weeks; after the blinded period is completed the patient will wear a different Alpha Stim device that has not been blinded for one hour per day for 5 days per week for 4 weeks, with settings at the patient's preference (1 to 6/6). Report of pain, anxiety will be assessed before and after each daily session during the 8 week period.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Mean Post-Traumatic Stress Questionnaire-Military (PCL-M) Score	Baseline, Week 4, Week 8	Subjects were asked to complete questionnaire three times during the course of study. Questions addressed symptoms associated with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder(PTSD). Scores can range from 17 to 85. A score \>31 was used to identify symptomatic subjects and was therefore required at baseline for study enrollment.
Mean Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D) Score	Baseline, 4 Weeks, 8 Weeks	This 20-item questionnaire measures depressive symptoms. Scores can range from 0-60, with scores greater than 16 indicating need for further evaluation due to possible Major Depression.
Mean Brief Profile of Mood States (BPOMS) Score	Baseline, Week 4, Week 8	BPOMS is a tool used to qualitatively measure anxiety. Subjects were asked to evaluate 30 feelings that they may have had over the past week. Stress-associated feelings are scored on a 5-point Likert scale from 0 (not at all)to 4 (extremely). Six of the feelings listed on the questionnaire are not associated with anxiety and therefore are not scored. Total scores range from 0-96, with higher scores indicating greater tension and anxiety.
Mean Visual Analogue Scale of Pain (VAS-P) Before and After Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation (CES).	Blinded Period, Unblinded Period	Subjects were asked to evaluate their pain intensity before and after each daily CES or sham treatment. Responses were scored on a scale ranging from 0 (indicating no pain) to 10 (worst possible pain).
Mean Visual Analogue Scale of Anxiety (VAS-A) Before and After Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation (CES).	Blinded Period, Unblinded Period	Subjects were asked to evaluate their anxiety level before and after each daily CES treatment. Responses were scored on a scale ranging from 0 (indicating no anxiety) to 10 (worst possible).
Mean General Sleep Disturbance Scale (GSDS) Score	Baseline, Week 4, Week 8	The GSDS is a questionnaire used to qualitatively evaluate sleep. This 21-question tool evaluates each aspect of sleep and restfulness on a 0-7 score, indicating the number of days per week that each problem may be present. Total scores range from 0-147, with higher scores indicating more profound disturbances in sleep.