Electric Headset For Treating Depression Trialled By Nhs

[naomi24]

Does anyone have any experience of this:

https://news.sky.com/story/electric-headset-for-treating-depression-trialled-by-nhs-12884293

[Barsel]

I haven't heard of this, but it does seem a bit cumbersome to wear and when would you wear it, to work? a night out? shopping?
It's possible it might work for some people with some types of depression, but I'd rather take a pill.
It probably works along the lines of the treatment you would get back in the day, I think it was called ECT.

[naomi24]

I hadn't heard of it until I read an article about it this morning, Barsel.

[Gromit]

The device is completely harmless because it doesn’t work.

// The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence says on its website: "There is not much good evidence about how well transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) for depression works, particularly how many treatments are needed and how long the effects last. //

Placebo effect.

[wolf63]

I think that is could work for normal depression - the type everyone gets when they feel in a low mood.

I have serious doubts if it would work with Clinical Depression.

[Barsel]

I did wonder if it might be one of those things that because you are expecting it to work, you can convince yourself that it does.
What is that thing they use for people who have SAD Seasonal ? disorder?
Is it a blue light or something?
Not sure how that works.

[pastafreak]

From the NHS regarding SAD...

"The light produced by the light box simulates the sunlight that's missing during the darker winter months. It's thought the light may improve SAD by encouraging your brain to reduce the production of melatonin (a hormone that makes you sleepy) and increase the production of serotonin (a hormone that affects your mood)."

And from Harvard Health...
" Light therapy — which involves sitting close to a special light source every morning for at least 30 minutes — can help improve SAD. But many people don't realize that this therapy can also be effective for major depression and depression that occurs during or after pregnancy, known as perinatal depression.28 Oct 2022 "

[Peter Pedant]

Christ gromit well done
Bullseye - I predict early deletion on that basis

ECT which er this isnt - was widely used in the seventies and eighties and the olacebo effectt was quite strong
pts woke up and said they felt better

[Barsel]

Thanks Pasta. I just wondered how different it would be to perhaps putting a blue bulb in your lamp.
I wonder as well how SAD is diagnosed as I think a lot of people must feel like this during the winter months.
It's a natural way to feel.
If the treatment for SAD helps people with depression, perhaps this headset might help those with SAD.
Just a thought.

[Barsel]

PP, I know this isn't the same as ECT as that would send an electric current to your brain whereas this doesn't.

[pastafreak]

I think I'd rather a lightbox/lamp...which I've considered...than a headset.

[Blubster]

A modern version of an ECT machine?

[Old_Geezer]

Shocking !

Needs proper trials rather than user feedback.

Here's hoping they're on to something.

[jno]

OG, what sort of trials might there be that don't involve user feedback? Are there objective ways of measuring depression, or lack of it?

[Old_Geezer]

Double blind trials with a control group might be a start.

[jno]

with one sample wearing headsets that just play rap music perhaps? I still don't know how exactly you'd measure the outcomes.

[Old_Geezer]

They play something ?

In any case you compare reports in how patients feel. It's double blind so a comparison should be valid.

[douglas9401]

Never mind double blind, looks like curtains for the project.

Maybe Botham can get it put on a twofer with his electrical stimulating stuff he advertises on the telly.