{"id":4472,"date":"2024-06-09T15:12:47","date_gmt":"2024-06-09T15:12:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dailywashingtoninsider.com\/index.php\/2024\/06\/09\/electric-headset-for-treating-depression-recommended-as-widespread-treatment-after-nhs-trial\/"},"modified":"2024-06-09T15:12:47","modified_gmt":"2024-06-09T15:12:47","slug":"electric-headset-for-treating-depression-recommended-as-widespread-treatment-after-nhs-trial","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dailywashingtoninsider.com\/index.php\/2024\/06\/09\/electric-headset-for-treating-depression-recommended-as-widespread-treatment-after-nhs-trial\/","title":{"rendered":"Electric headset for treating depression recommended as widespread treatment after NHS trial"},"content":{"rendered":"
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An electric headset for treating depression has been recommended as a more widespread treatment for depression after a successful NHS trial. But it’s not yet known what the long term benefits of the device are.<\/p>\n

An NHS<\/strong> trial has found that an innovative electric headset for treating depression is an effective way of reducing the symptoms, and has recommended its more widespread use within the health service.<\/p>\n

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The headset from Flow Neuroscience was given to patients with depression by their GP to wear for 30 minutes daily for a period of six weeks, as a non-invasive way to manage the condition.<\/p>\n

The study found that it was an “effective depression treatment”, by using a brain stimulation technique known as transcranial direct current stimulation, or tDCS.<\/p>\n

The device delivers a weak direct electrical current to the front of the brain, to stimulate the areas responsible for emotional expression.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

The research found over 58% of people saw improvements within six weeks, and one in three went into remission with no depression<\/strong> symptoms.<\/p>\n

Flow Neuroscience says it’s the “first and only medically approved at home treatment for depression”, and it can be used alongside other therapies like talking therapies or drugs.<\/p>\n

It was trialled on patients<\/strong> by Northamptonshire NHS Foundations Trust, but it can also be bought privately for \u00a3399.<\/p>\n

One of those patients is James Maynard, who has struggled with depression prior to using the headset.<\/p>\n

He told Sky News: “I was just so low, I didn’t really have any goals and would just go through the emotions of day-to-day life.<\/p>\n

“Going to work, coming home from the children, going to sleep. If I could sleep.”<\/p>\n

After just a few weeks of wearing the device every day for 30 minutes, he says his symptoms noticeably improved.<\/p>\n

“I was starting to sleep a bit better. The wife even said I was happier. I wasn’t waking up grumpy. So there was obviously something happening.”<\/p>\n

One of the NHS Trial Leads is Dr Azhar Zafar, who told Sky News that patients report having to use fewer medications as a result of the device.<\/p>\n

He says: “It’s a new option because for years and years, we will have only the option of medication or a cognitive behavioural therapy. This method of treatment is an additional treatment.”<\/p>\n

It’s not yet known, however, what the long term benefits of the device are on depression past six weeks.<\/p>\n

GP Dr Anita Raja told Sky News that “when it comes to mental health<\/strong> one of the most important things is understanding what the relapse of the patient may be once the treatment stops or is withheld”.<\/p>\n

She says this device is promising, but she wants to know “what happens when the patient stops using the device – do they become depressed again?”.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

This post appeared first on sky.com<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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