Functional electrical stimulation method, use and apparatus for mood alteration

摘要

A method and apparatus for providing functional electrical stimulation to an individual for altering a mood or emotional parameter associated with a mood or emotional state is provided. The method involves providing functional electrical stimulation to facial muscles of the individual so as to elicit a detectable contraction in said muscles associated with a facial expression associated with a desired mood or emotional parameter.

主权项

1. A method for treating a subject afflicted with a depressive disorder associated with a mood or an emotional state, comprising: applying functional electrical stimulation to at least one facial muscle associated with said mood or emotional state to activate one or more neural tracts of at least one of the extrapyramidal or pyramidal motor systems of said subject, thereby improving a mood parameter or emotional state of the subject, thereby to treat the subject, wherein the functional electrical stimulation further comprises:
a) placing electrode pairs on the face of the subject to establish an electric circuit along at least one orbicularis oculi muscle and along at least one zygomatic major muscle using a plurality of biphasic pulses, wherein each biphasic pulse is delivered for a duration of from about 25 μsec to about 1000 μsec; b) delivering said biphasic pulses to stimulate said at least one orbicularis oculi muscle; c) delivering said biphasic pulses to stimulate said at least one zygomatic major muscle; d) discontinuing said biphasic pulses to allow said muscles to relax; and e) repeating steps b), c) and d) at least once.