Psychometric evaluation of a radio electric auricular treatment for stress related disorders: a double-blinded, placebo-controlled controlled pilot study

Abstract

BackgroundThe aim of this double-blind randomized study is to test the efficacy of a radio electric stimulator device using an auricular reflex therapy protocol for stress-related symptoms.MethodsThe study has been carried out on 200 subjects (138 females, 62 males) that voluntarily came to our Institute declaring to "feel stressed".The participants were randomly allocated with a computerized procedure: 150 were treated with auricular therapeutic protocol with radio electric stimulator device (REAC) and 50 were treated with an inactivated, placebo REAC. Psychological stress was evaluated trough the self-administered questionnaire Psychological Stress Measure (PSM). Assessment data were collected at 2 time points: before the treatment (T0) and immediately after the therapy cycle of 18 sessions about 4 weeks later (T1).ResultsIn the group treated with REAC, the psychometric evaluation after the therapy's cycle showed a significant reduction of PSM total scores, from 107.8 ± 23,13 at T0 to 87.1 ± 16,21 at T1 (p < 0.5), while in the control group no significant variation in decreasing stress-related symptomatology has been noted (107.86 ± 25,80 at T0 and 106.32 ± 25,88 at T1 (p = NS).ConclusionsThe protocol of the auricular treatment with REAC seems to reduce the subjective perception of stress, as "psychometrically" demonstrated by the significant reduction in PSM test total score. This therapeutical procedure also provides a non invasive, not painful and very simple innovative approach to treat the widely diffused stress related disorders.Trial RegistrationThis trial has been registered in the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) with the number: ACTRN12607000529448

Brain activity modification produced by a single radioelectric asymmetric brain stimulation pulse: a new tool for neuropsychiatric treatments. Preliminary fMRI study

“…The electromagnetic field surrounding the device was approximately 20 μW/m 2 . The REAC pulse was applied by touching the tip of the metallic REAC probe to a specific area of the ear located at the top of the lower third of the scapha of the ear pavilion, according to the Neuro Postural Optimization protocol 7,9. With these parameters, the radioelectric pulses emitted by the REAC were much weaker than those from a mobile phone.…”

<p>REAC Cervicobrachial Neuromodulation Treatment of Depression, Anxiety, and Stress During the COVID-19 Pandemic</p>

“…These treatments are aimed at improving strategies to optimize the allostatic response to environmental stressors and the exposome, allowing the reduction of dysfunctional adaptive behavior patterns that underlie many neuropsychological symptoms and pathologies [16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23]30 and improving, as a consequence, the symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. [16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23]40 Thus, NPPO treatments have been designed to optimize the individual response to environmental stressors, which can induce a wide range of disorders and pathologies. The alarm/stress reaction to stressors can result in increased muscle tension, detectable in the cervicobrachial region, 41,42 where the ACP is applied during the NPPO-CB treatment (see Figure 1).…”

“…6,15 However, psychological support requires prolonged and continuous physical or web-based contact between a psychologist and a patient, which limits the number of patients able to be treated. While other therapeutic neuromodulation techniques have previously demonstrated efficacy in treating these disorders, such as neuromodulation treatments using radio electric asymmetric conveyer (REAC) technology, [16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23] although they have the advantage of requiring much shorter administration times, unfortunately, they are not web-based.…”

Auricular Acupuncture May Suppress Epileptic Seizures via Activating the Parasympathetic Nervous System: A Hypothesis Based on Innovative Methods

“…We can use auricular electroacupuncture, which is less invasive, of less cost, and convenient to treat diseases by setting up suitable parameters. Recently, kinds of acupuncture treatment instruments such as radio electric stimulator device [43] and P-Stim auricular electroacupuncture stimulation device [44] have been developed for the treatment of stress-related disorders and pain relief. Auricular vagal nerve stimulator is expected to be explored.…”