Medical expert of the article
New publications
Electrosleep
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Indications for conducting an electrosleep
Neurotic and somatoform disorders, jet and asthenic conditions, disturbances in night sleep, increased emotional lability, ischemic heart disease, primary hypotension, bedwetting, psychosomatic diseases (hypertension, bronchial asthma, neurodermatitis, etc.).
The 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 region of the mastoid processes. The intensity of current is selected individually to a value at which threshold sensations appear.
Impulse currents excite receptors in the zone of innervation 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 then to the neurons of the cerebral cortex, the nuclei of the thalamus and the hypothalamus, where efferent impulses are formed. The close arrangement of many vital centers and the greater 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 of the regulation of the activity of many organs and systems.
The therapeutic effect of the electrosleep depends on the frequency of the pulses and the duration of the procedures.
The procedure lasts 30-40 minutes (the frequency of the current is 5-20 Hz) has a sedative, moderate hypotensive effect and has an insignificant effect on the neurohumoral regulatory system.
The procedure lasting 30-40 minutes (current frequency - 40-100 Hz) causes more pronounced reactions of vegetative, 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.
An electrosleep with a duration of 60 min inhibits neurohumoral regulation.