Case Study: The Effectiveness of Microcurrent Neurofeedback (MCN) IASIS

 Case Study: The Effectiveness of Microcurrent Neurofeedback (MCN) IASIS

College of Western Idaho

By Brian Bayley

 Overview

This case study investigates the application and effectiveness of microcurrent neurofeedback (MCN) in the treatment of anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and neurological repair across the body. Microcurrent neurofeedback is a non-invasive neuromodulation technique that aims to regulate and optimize brain function by providing low-level electrical stimulation. One study focused on a 32-year-old female patient diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder who underwent a series of MCN sessions over a period of eight weeks. Various assessment tools, including standardized anxiety scales and self-report measures, were employed to evaluate the impact of MCN on the patient's anxiety symptoms.

 

Purpose

Neuro disorders and damage are prevalent health conditions affecting millions of individuals worldwide. Traditional treatment approaches, such as pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy, have demonstrated efficacy; however, there is growing interest in alternative and complementary interventions. Microcurrent neurofeedback has emerged as a potential therapeutic option, showing promise in addressing various neurological conditions, including anxiety disorders, PTSD treatment, and neurological damage to the body.

According to microcurrentneurofeedback.com, “anxiety disorders represent a significant global health concern, impacting the well-being and daily functioning of millions of individuals. While traditional therapeutic approaches, such as pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy, have proven effective for many, there remains a need for innovative and complementary interventions. One emerging technique that has garnered attention is microcurrent neurofeedback (MCN). This non-invasive neuromodulation method involves applying low-level electrical currents to specific areas of the scalp, aiming to optimize brain function. This case study seeks to explore the therapeutic potential of by shedding light on its effectiveness, safety, and possible applications.”

 Rationale: 

The rationale behind this case study lies in the limited research available on the application of microcurrent neurofeedback due to the short time it has been available to the general public. While there is a growing body of evidence supporting the efficacy of neuromodulation techniques, including MCN, in various neurological conditions, a comprehensive examination of its impact over a long period of time is still lacking. This study aims to address this gap by providing a detailed exploration of the experiences and outcomes of individuals undergoing MCN for neurological disorders and health concerns.

Objectives:

Primary Objective: 

The primary objective of this case study is to assess the efficacy of microcurrent neurofeedback in reducing anxiety symptoms, PTSD, and other neurological health concerns in individuals. By employing standardized anxiety scales and self-report measures, the study aims to quantitatively measure changes in neuro severity throughout the intervention period.

Secondary Objectives:

1. Investigate the safety of MCN to the patient.

2. Explore the subjective experiences and perceptions of participants undergoing MCN.

3. Examine the potential long-term effects and sustainability of symptom reduction post- MCN intervention.

 

Technology Overview

How does IASIS MCN help the brain heal?

As stated by the founder of IASIS Microcurrent Neurofeedback on theholistichealing.org, “physical trauma, chronic illness, emotional trauma, or toxicity damages the brain by causing abnormal patterns of brain waves. The brain gets stuck in these fixed and rigid abnormal patterns. IASIS MCN provides a gentle nudge to the brain in the right direction. It allows the brain to establish new healthy brain wave patterns. The IASIS MCN treatment is like rebooting your brain just like a computer.”

What is Microcurrent Neurofeedback (MCN)?

It is continued on by explaining, “IASIS is a 510K FDA-registered tool that utilizes small sensors.
That detects and monitors brain waves, sending electronic signals to a computer.

The computer returns a tiny signal that is a mirror image of the brain’s own waves. This tiny signal produces a fluctuation in the brainwaves that allows the gentle, effortless release of fixed, frozen brain wave patterns.

The brain responds to the IASIS MCN signal by laying down new neural pathways that are unique to the individual to compensate for what’s not working in the brain and reversing chemical and hormonal imbalances to self-regulate.

IASIS Microcurrent Neurofeedback helps the brain heal and restore it to its most optimal cognitive state. After successful treatment, prescription drugs can often be reduced or discontinued, with the approval of your doctor.”

MCN is meant to support the central nervous system. It has been observed to be helpful in the following conditions under the supervision of a physician.

• ADD/ADHD
• Fibromyalgia
• Addiction including sugar
• Headache, Cluster and tension headaches 
• Anxiety, Anger, Rage
• Sleep Issues
• Autism including Asperger’s syndrome
• Lyme Disease 
• Cancer
• Memory disorders

• Chronic Fatigue
• Migraine
• Alzheimer’s Dementia
• Parkinson’s Disease
• OCD
• Impulse Control​

• ​Depression, Bipolar disorder
• PTSD
• Eating Disorder
• Raynaud’s Disease
• Epilepsy/Seizures
• Stroke

• Psychosocial Disorders
• Traumatic Brain Injury
• PMS
• Facial Tics, Tourette’s
• Chronic Pain
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder/OCD
• Parkinson’s tremor
• Chemo brain
• Cognitive decline
• Peak Performance

What to expect during an MCN session?

1. There are 6 protocol settings of IASIS MCN and numerous different sensitivity levels that may be selected, depending on how fragile or hardy one’s nervous system is which is assessed by your physician.
   2. Your protocol will be adjusted according to how you respond to the treatments
   both during or after the session.
   3. While seated, five lightweight EEG electrodes will be placed at different areas on your head and neck. The skin areas will first be cleaned off and then a conductive
   paste will be applied to hold the electrodes in place.
   4. The position of the electrodes may vary through the treatment and in subsequent
   treatments for optimal healing.
   5. We encourage you to keep your eyes open during the session.

IASIS Phase Chart

 

Patient Study 

-A study performed by The AANP (American Association of Nurse Practitioners) showed the following: 

“Participant: The participant, a 32-year-old female, met the criteria for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) based on the DSM-5 criteria. The patient had not responded adequately to previous pharmacological and psychotherapeutic interventions.

Intervention: The participant underwent microcurrent neurofeedback sessions twice a week for eight weeks. Each session lasted approximately 30 minutes. MCN involved the application of low-level electrical currents to the scalp, targeting specific brain regions associated with anxiety regulation.

Assessment tools: The Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item Scale (GAD-7) were administered at baseline, mid-treatment, and post-treatment to measure changes in anxiety symptom severity. Additionally, the patient maintained a daily anxiety diary to self-report subjective experiences.

Results:

Baseline assessment: The participant presented with a HARS score of 28 and a GAD-7 score of 18, indicating severe anxiety symptoms.

Mid-treatment assessment: After four weeks of MCN, the HARS score decreased to 16, and the GAD-7 score reduced to 10, reflecting a moderate improvement in anxiety symptoms.

Post-treatment assessment: At the end of the eight-week intervention, the participant's HARS score further decreased to 9, and the GAD-7 score dropped to 6, indicating a significant reduction in anxiety symptoms.”

Findings

After the mentioned study was performed, a larger case study was initiated with Twelve females and eight males participated, with ages ranging from 28 years to 77 years, the mean age being 48. This study had a wide variation of ages, races, genders, education levels, and many other separations. The AANP showed the following results claiming the results were “statistically significant”

Test Results by AANP-

The observed reduction in anxiety and depression total scores at the 20th session between the pre–I-MCN and post–I-MCN assessments remained statistically significant with large Cohen's d (BAI paired group t-test, t = 4.16, p = .001, Cohen's d > 1.0; Beck Depression Inventory II paired group t-test, t = 5.97, p < .001, Cohen's d > 1.0). QOLI had a significant increase in scores with a medium effect size (paired group t-test, t = −3.46, p = .003, Cohen's d = 0.78). Finally, the PTSD subscale of the PSS demonstrated a statistically significant difference after 10 treatments of the IASIS intervention (paired group t-test, t = 2.60, p = .023) and after 20 treatments (paired group t-test, t = 3.31, p = .006, Cohen's d = 0.84). For the suicide risk subscale of the PSS, no significant improvements were noted after 10 or 20 treatments (20 weeks: paired group t-test, t = 1.64, p = .120; paired group t-test, t = 0.808, p = .431). The four participants who scored high on suicidal ideation on baseline assessment reported verbally and in writing on the Observation Report reduction in suicidal ideation signs and behaviors, although statistical improvement was not shown on the suicide risk screen scale of the PSS.

Conclusion

While this new technology is showing statistical and verbal successes, it is still too young to provide long term results. At this time, there are no major safety concerns noted. Multiple agencies and associations have implemented the use of the MCN technology, but unfortunately the majority of medical insurances will not cover the treatments until this technology has been documented over a long period of time. This medical treatment has already been implemented by multiple major pilot facilities in the Veterans Affairs Hospitals, private practitioners, and is gaining traction among other trauma facilities.

 

 

Document 1: Sources of Information include Medical Journals, Founders Information, and practitioners

• https://microcurrentneurofeedback.com/
• https://journals.lww.com/jaanp/fulltext/9900/the_effectiveness_of_microcurrent_neurofeedback_on.164.aspx?fbclid=IwAR3OfcdEhHMLtizS7ChKaIl-tlBIOkkftWDpCMqjESNDVSjj07VIInc9ZR4_aem_ATyOuT5IS4__8fcBZn-OGkBLXSknciF4JDyaPHrN4o-7RZPDhUKxspGwSEdLMQUZZnQ
• https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877042811018465
• https://www.theholistichealing.org/microcurrent-neurofeedback#:~:text=That%20detects%20and%20monitors%20brain,fixed%2C%20frozen%20brain%20wave%20patterns.
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4892319/
• https://www.researchgate.net/publication/257714659_Treatment_of_Anxiety_Disorder_with_Neurofeedback_Case_Study

Document 2: Additional References

Cover Photo was pulled from a Microcurrentneurofeedback.com