Noninvasive brain stimulation by radioelectric asymmetric conveyor in the treatment of agoraphobia: open-label, naturalistic study

Abstract

BackgroundAgoraphobia is considered to be the most serious complication of panic disorder. It involves progressive development of debilitating anxiety symptoms related to being in situations where one would be extremely embarrassed and could not be rescued in the case of a panic attack. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of noninvasive brain stimulation using a radioelectric asymmetric conveyor (REAC) for agoraphobia.Patients and methodsTwenty-three patients (3 males and 20 females) suffering from agoraphobia and without a history of panic disorder were evaluated by a psychiatrist using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision, and the Agoraphobia Scale (AS). The patients were subjected to two 18-session cycles of noninvasive brain stimulation with the REAC, according to an established therapeutic protocol called neuropsycho-physical optimization.ResultsAnalyzing the anxiety and avoidance parameters of the AS after the first and second cycles of REAC treatment revealed variation in levels of response to treatment, including weak (AS item 7), moderate (AS items 10 and 13), and good responses (AS items 1–6, 8, 9, 11, 12, and 14–20).ConclusionThese results highlight the potential of the REAC to treat complex clinical situations such as agoraphobia, which is typically resistant to pharmacologic treatments. Furthermore, these data show the advantages of REAC treatment, even compared with modern cognitive behavioral therapy, including a relatively rapid and “stable” clinical response (just over 6 months) and economic cost.

Long-lasting changes in brain activation induced by a single REAC technology pulse in Wi-Fi bands. Randomized double-blind fMRI qualitative study

“…The REAC technology has two main fields of application, neuromodulation and biomodulation. In the context of neuromodulation specific REAC treatments have proven to be effective in treating various neuropsychiatric disorders 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 .…”

Neuropsychophysical optimization by REAC technology in the treatment of: sense of stress and confusion. Psychometric evaluation in a randomized, single blind, sham-controlled naturalistic study

“…The model used in this study (Convogliatore di Radianza Modulante, ASMED, Italy) is specific for noninvasive brain stimulation techniques. REAC treatment has proved its efficacy in ameliorating several stress-related disorders,13–18 depression,18–20 anxiety,18,20 social anxiety,21 agoraphobia,22 bipolar disorders,23 some forms of dementias,24 and impaired motor control 25–27. Recently, using specific protocols, REAC technology has demonstrated the chance to induce stem cell pluripotency and differentiation 28.…”

REAC neuromodulation treatments in subjects with severe socioeconomic and cultural hardship in the Brazilian state of Pará: a family observational pilot study

“…The REAC-NPPO protocol has proven to be effective in treating stress-related symptoms, 13 – 18 such as anxiety, 19 – 21 pain, 16 depression, 19 , 20 , 22 and other psychiatric disorders 23 – 25 also related to adaptation disorder. 13 , 26 – 28 These two REAC neuro-modulation protocols are absolutely non-invasive, painless and very fast and easy to be administered.…”