Electroceutical and Bioelectric Therapy: Its Advantages and Limitations

Abstract

Given the long history, the field of electroceutical and bioelectric therapy has grown impressively, recognized as the main modality of mental health treatments along with psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy. Electroceutical and bioelectric therapy comprises electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), deep brain stimulation (DBS), transcranial electrical stimulation (tES), and other brain stimulation techniques. Much empirical research has been published regarding the application guidelines, mechanism of action, and efficacy of respective brain stimulation techniques, but no comparative study that delineates the advantages and limitations of each therapy exists for a comprehensive understanding of each technique. This review provides a comparison of existing electroceutical and bioelectric techniques, primarily focusing on the therapeutic advantages and limitations of each therapy in the current electroceutical and bioelectric field.

Current status of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation for tinnitus: a narrative review of modern research

“…TaVNS is a proven adjunctive therapy for tinnitus, primarily for the treatment of disorders associated with the main concomitant symptoms of tinnitus, such as insomnia, anxiety, and depression. TaVNS is a cost-effective, portable technique with no significant negative side effects, but it is limited by the lack of an established protocol for application ( Jung et al, 2023 ). Although experimental studies and anatomy have been cross-referenced to suggest that the mechanism of action may be related to the vagus nerve.…”