The use of cranial electrotherapy stimulation in post-traumatic amnesia: A report of two cases

Encouraged by Smith's findings of substantial improvement in alcohol-induced amnesia [1,2] the authors have begun to evaluate the effects of cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES) in post head injury patients exhibiting post-traumatic amnesia. Many such patients have static, often disabling, defects in short-term and intermediate memory which respond slowly and incompletely to cognitive rehabilitation. Smith's double-blind, placebo-controlled research with CES prompted its introduction into many alcohol and chemical dependency programmes, not only for the treatment of alcoholic amnesia but also to decrease symptoms of narcotic withdrawal [3]. In addition, earlier work by Rosenthal and Wulfsohn [4] demonstrated positive effects of CES in depression, and other studies have shown substantially diminished organicity in substance abusers undergoing this therapy [5].