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Internist, pulmonologist

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Electrosleep

Alexey Kryvenko, medical expert
Last reviewed: 03.07.2025

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Electrosleep is the effect of low-intensity pulsed current on the central nervous system through the receptors of the head to normalize the functional state of the brain structures.

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Indications for electrosleep

Neurotic and somatoform disorders, reactive and asthenic conditions, sleep disorders, increased emotional lability, ischemic heart disease, primary hypotension, nocturnal enuresis, psychosomatic diseases (hypertension, bronchial asthma, neurodermatitis, etc.).

Contraindications to electrosleep

Individual intolerance to current, inflammatory eye diseases, high myopia, arachnoiditis, weeping facial eczema, malignant neoplasms.

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Classical method

Current pulses with a duration of 0.2-0.3 ms and a frequency of 1-150 Hz are passed through bifurcated electrodes located on the closed eyes and the mammillary process area. The current intensity is selected individually to the value at which threshold sensations appear.

Pulse currents excite receptors in the innervation zone of the trigeminal nerve. Rhythmically ordered impulses from these receptors go to the bipolar cells of the Gasser node, from them to the large sensory nucleus of the trigeminal nerve in the medulla oblongata and further to the neurons of the cerebral cortex, the nuclei of the thalamus and hypothalamus, where efferent impulses are formed. The close location of many vital centers and the large branching of connections between them in the medulla oblongata contribute to the emergence of polyfunctional reactions. The pituitary gland, acting on the endocrine glands, activates the humoral link in regulating the activity of many organs and systems.

The therapeutic effect of electrosleep depends on the frequency of impulses and the duration of the procedures.

The procedure lasting 30-40 minutes (current frequency - 5-20 Hz) has a sedative, moderate hypotensive effect and has a minor effect on the neurohumoral regulatory system.

The procedure lasting 30-40 minutes (current frequency - 40-100 Hz) causes more pronounced reactions of the autonomic, endocrine and cardiovascular systems, an increase in sympathetic and a decrease in cholinergic activity, an improvement in the function of the cardiovascular system with normalization of blood pressure.

Electrosleep lasting 60 minutes suppresses neurohumoral regulation.