title: A clinical trial of cranial electrotherapy stimulation for anxiety and comorbid depression.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Anxiety disorders are among the most prevalent mental disorders and are usually treated with medication and/or psychotherapy. When anxiety disorders are accompanied with comorbid depression, this further complicates the treatment process. Medication compliance is a common problem due to adverse side effects and new and effective treatments that have minimal side effects are needed for the treatment of anxiety and depression. This study used a randomized, double-blind, sham controlled design to examine the effectiveness of CES as a treatment for anxiety disorders and comorbid depression in a primary care setting. The study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov, NCT01533415.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and fifteen participants, age 18 years and over, with a primary diagnosis of an anxiety disorder were enrolled from February 2012 to December 2012 The Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HAM-A) and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale17 (HAM-D17) were used for baseline and outcome measures at weeks one, three, and five. Response to treatment was defined as a reduction of ≥50% or more on these measures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Analysis of covariance revealed a significant difference between the active CES group and the sham CES group on anxiety (p=0.001, d=0.94) and on depression (p=0.001, d=0.78) from baseline to endpoint of study in favor of the active CES group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CES significantly decreases anxiety and comorbid depression. Subjects reported no adverse events during the study.
authors.affiliation: Liberty University, Department of Psychology, 1971 University Blvd. Lynchburg, VA 24502, United States. Electronic address: thbarclay@liberty.edu.
authors.forename: Timothy H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Barclay
authors.affiliation: Stetson University, 421 N. Woodland Blvd. DeLand, FL 32723, United States. Electronic address: rbarclay@stetson.edu.
authors.forename: Raymond D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Barclay
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012886:Skull; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Anxiety; CES; Cranial electrotherapy stimulation; Depression