Gizmodo: therapy

NeuroStar TMS Depression Therapy System First To Be Given FDA Approval

Sean Fallon — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 01:40:00 EST

Last year, Neuronetics' NeuroStar TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) Therapy system became the first device of its kind to be cleared by the FDA for treating depression. Although, the similarity to a dentist chair was probably not a great idea.

Nonetheless, trials on 164 patients with unipolar, non-psychotic major depressive disorder using the device proved that treatment with short magnetic field pulses to the left prefrontal cortex can be a viable alternative to medication. After 30 40-minute daily sessions, half of the patients in the trial experienced significant improvement, while a third reported complete resolution. Plus, the only statistically significant side effect was mild discomfort in the treatment area. Currently, patients can receive NeuroStar treatments in a psychiatrist's office while remaining completely awake and alert.

Given all of the uncertainty and danger surrounding many psychiatric drugs, NeuroStar seems like it's worth a shot for people suffering from serious bouts of depression. It could also be a sign of things to come. Perhaps technology like this will one day be implanted directly into our brains—making us feel awesome all the time. [NeuroStar and Medical News Today via PopSci]

12 Minutes of iPod Lovin' a Day Will Keep Your Heart Healthy

Rosa Golijan — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 01:00:00 EDT

I've got a playlist that never fails to make my heart go boom-baboom-baboom just a bit faster. According to a study from the University of Belgrade, 12 minutes of that playlist a day might actually leave me healthier and happier.

Over the course of a seven year study, Dr Predrag Mitrovic of the University of Belgrade looked at the effects of music therapy on the heart. Turns out that happy, joyful music (what qualifies for that is a matter of opinion) might have health benefits due to "decreasing sympathetic nervous activity."

Basically a cheery song or two a day might not keep the doctor away, but it's got some pleasant effects:

Patients who listened to music had less anxiety, although the score did not reach statistical significance, and statistically significant reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressures and heart rate. Patients who listened to music also had significantly less angina, less heart failure, and lower rates of reinfarction, sudden death, and revascularization.

In plain words? Your "happy songs" will leave you calmer and less stressed. Not novel, but it's nice to have some science backing it. So rock, rock your little hearts out and spread the health by sharing your happy playlists. [theheart.org via CNET]

Photo by Adriano Agulló

Paro the $5000 Therapeutic Seal Now Available in America

Benny Goldman — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 14:00:00 EDT

Paro, the Japanese robotic therapy seal is now available in the US. Paro is a medical device developed by folks who have built therapy robots for years, and they say this robo-companionship can relieve some of the symptoms associated with long-term illness and even Alzheimer's. Why a seal, and not a cat or dog? Because people don't have stereotypes about seals and wouldn't question how real it felt. We're all for a gadget that helps a sick person feel better, but we don't know if you should let your demented aunt Fanny spend too much time with a robot seal.

The cost? Five thousand dollars. To put that insane price in robot pet perspective, you could buy 16 Pleos or even 2 ½ AIBOs.

But it's only in limited quantities for now; that means if you aren't a hospital you can expect to wait a while before getting your hands on one. [Paro, Paro research]

Senslux SLD Desklamps Try to See Off Your Winter Blues, Acne

Kit Eaton — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 03:51:01 EDT

Senslux's new SLD range of desk lamps will light your stuff with LEDs for low power-consumption eco-friendliness, and come in three types. The SG-1500 model appears to be just a plain ol' desk lamp, but the SF is apparently a "full spectrum" lamp, presumably to give more natural light to combat the dim winter sun. The last, SA model, claims to be a light therapy for acne. Brilliant. Available in Korea for around $150, not sure if or when they'll make it over here. [Aving]

LTK-2000 Therapy Station Tries to Soothe Your Senses All At Once

Kit Eaton — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 06:01:27 EDT

Sure, there're plenty of gadgets to soothe your troubled soul with smells, lights and sounds— but why buy a bunch of these, when the LTK2000 does it all in one? Once the Therapy Station has calmed your ears with 24 relaxing sound options, a pop-up ring of bright LEDs tries to banish those SAD blues. Aromatherapy scents will waft around you from its built-in heater, while an anion generator cleans up the air. Strangely its designers missed tackling all five senses by omitting a massager and chocolate dispenser, but hey ho. Available for around $395 in Korea at first, we guess it'll be over here soon enough. [Technabob]

BuzzTrainer - USB Shock Therapy

Travis Hudson — Tue, 29 Nov 2005 11:46:29 EST

Personally, when I think of discipline, I think of torture and pain. That's why I like this wrist strap that administers small shocks on specific commands. This product claims it can "improve your PC skill" through the administration of said pain. Apparently the BuzzTrainer software that is included is able to be bind to almost any type of PC command to administer shocks. One prime example would be looking at porn on the computer. Unfortunately, for porn fans, myself included, adding shocks into the mix may make it more enjoyable.

BuzzTrainer USB Shock Therapy Gadget [the adventures of teapot the cat]