Journal of International Psychiatry

Objective To investigate the effects of Cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES) on the levels of hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis, brain-derived neurotrophic factor and clinical symptoms in patients with mild depression. Method Eighty-six patients with mild depression were randomly assigned to either a Study group or a Control group. Blood samples were collected before and after treatment for 8 weeks to measure cortisol (COR), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and BDNF. Clinical symptoms were assessed by Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) and insomnia severity index (ISI). Result After CES treatment, the level of COR, HAMA and ISI in the study group decreased (t = -2.0538, - 2.5512, - 2.7228; P = 0.0431, 0.0125, 0.0079), which was significantly lower than that in the control group (t = -2.3613, 2.1188, 3.2795; P = 0.0205, 0.0371, 0.0015); the other indexes had no statistical significance (P > 0.05). There was no statistical significance in the indexes of the control group before and after treatment (P > 0.05). Conclusion The change of blood level of HPA axis related hormones caused by CES treatment may be one of the mechanisms to relieve anxiety and insomnia, but it has no obvious effect on depression.

Cranial electrotherapy stimulation; Depression; Hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis; Brain-derived neurotrophic factor