Transcranial electrical therapy, also known as transcranial micropolarization (TCMP) and transcranial electrical stimulation (TES, in the English version tDCS) is a highly effective treatment method that allows you to change the functional state of various parts of the central nervous system. TES successfully combines the simplicity and non-invasiveness of traditional physiotherapy procedures with a fairly high degree of selectivity of exposure.
The effects of TES are based on physiological mechanisms that provide a change in the level of polarization of the cell and synaptic membranes under the influence of a direct current of low intensity. An important feature of transcranial exposure is the phenomenon of its prolonged action on brain mechanisms after its completion. This is associated with trace changes in synaptic potentials, which not only persist for months, but also increase with repeated exposures.
The main types of effects of transcranial electrical stimulation of the protective mechanisms of the brain: neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, antihypoxic, dermatoprotective; stimulation of reparative regulation; stimulation of immunity; anesthesia; normalization of vascular regulation; normalization of psychophysiological status.
TES effectively eliminates or significantly reduces various central and peripheral manifestations of stress caused by various factors, leads to pain relief, anxiety reduction, sleep improvement, normalization of the gastrointestinal tract. At the same time, the patient's psychological indicators improve, with a decrease in depression, aggressiveness, fear, an improvement in mood, an increase in motivation for further treatment, an increase in interest in the environment, and an improvement in learning ability. In particular, the presence of an intense anti-stress effect in persons who were in the position of hostages or experienced a situation of mass catastrophes was shown. At the same time, it has been proven that the anti-stress effects of TES are largely due to the activation of the structures of the protective mechanisms of the brain responsible for the production of endorphins.
The therapeutic effects of transcranial influences have the most important features:
1) have a homeostatic character: the normalizing effect is manifested only in relation to impaired functions;
2) manifest themselves in a complex way: in the treatment of the underlying pathology, positive effects on the manifestations of concomitant disorders are observed;
3) manifest themselves systemically: on the one hand, in the treatment of different types of pathology with homogeneous syndromes (for example, pain or depression), on the other hand, in the treatment of various disorders caused by the same factor, or different types of pathology associated with disorders one functional system (for example, in obstetrics and gynecology).
Applications of transcranial electrical stimulation: neurology, narcology, gynecology, dermatology, cardiology; gastroenterology; ophthalmology; surgery, dentistry, pediatrics, oncology (except for formations in the brain).
TES therapy has a normalizing (homeostatic) effect on blood pressure levels, which can persist for several months. These procedures can also be performed prophylactically to maintain an optimal state of the cardiovascular system during such aggressive influences as operations.
Transcranial electrical stimulation is an effective non-drug immunomodulator that activates the mechanisms of specific and nonspecific resistance in patients with secondary immunosuppression. Helpers, natural killers and other immunocompetent cells are activated. Therefore, TES is also useful in diseases in the pathogenesis of which allergic reactions are essential.
Experiments have shown that TES had an invariably inhibitory effect on the growth of transplanted tumors of various types and cellular nature, and also potentiated the oncostatic effect of antitumor chemotherapeutic agents such as vinblastine, cyclophosphamide, and 5-fluorouracil.
TES-therapy has been used in the treatment of those skin diseases, in the origin of which psycho-emotional trauma and/or hormonal regulation disorders play an important role. In gynecology, the use of TES leads to the normalization of the menstrual cycle and psychophysiological status, the disappearance of acne, the reduction of endometriosis cysts and endometrial hyperplastic processes, the normalization of hormonal status and the disappearance of hot flashes.
Data have also been obtained on a significant improvement in the condition of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.
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