Cranial electrotherapy stimulation for the treatment of chronically symptomatic bipolar patients.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to determine if cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES) is beneficial in chronically symptomatic bipolar (CSBP) subjects. METHODS A retrospective chart review of all consecutive CSBP subjects who were prescribed CES collected demographic and clinical information. RESULTS The Clinical Global Impression improved significantly [mean (SD), 2.7 (0.6) at baseline vs 2.0 (0.0), t = 0, P < 0.001], but mood symptoms change minimally. There were very few adverse effects of CES. CONCLUSIONS Patients with CSBP continue to experience symptoms with CES but also are modestly improved.