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Chapter 11 - Intended use and therapeutic application
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Intended use and therapeutic
application 11
Since the beginning of the 19th century efforts have been made to achieve therapeutic
effects with the help of electricity, but the level of knowledge was not high enough. The
growing knowledge in the field of neurophysiology during the last two decades enabled huge
development steps of this type of therapy.
Newly the Interventional Neruophysiology combines all therapeutic procedures, which are
based on applying electrical current to parts of the nervous system [1, 2].
[1] Claaßen, J., Schnitzler, A.: Interventionelle Neurophysiologie - Grundlagen und
therapeutische Anwendungen, Georg Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart - New York, 2013
[2] Wassermann, E.; Epstein, Ch., Ziemann, U., Walsh, V., Paus T., Lisanby, S.: Oxford
Handbook of Transcranial Stimulation, Oxford Library of Psychology, 2008
The transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) as a part of the non-invasive Interventional
Neurophysiology applies weak electrical currents (up to 2 mA) at a duration of 15..30
minutes at different positions on the head.
The electrical charge and current density applied during tDCS are far below the threshold for
releasing a stimulus and take modular effect to existing neuronal elements.
Intended use
Depending on duration, used current, current density and frequency the stimulation is
effective on inhibiting or activating cortical activity.
If established treatments fail a supporting therapeutic effect on depression and neuropathic
pain in the lower limbs is probable and during rehabilitation of speech and motor skills after
stroke and on auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia possible.
Essential performance (also see Preface):
•
the device specific maximum output current will not be exceeded
•
a predefined stimulation time will not be exceeded (max. tolerance (1%)