Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Background
Most external peripheral nerve stimulation devices designed to alter mood states use electrical energy, but mechanical stimulation for activation of somatosensory pathways may be harnessed for potential therapeutic neuromodulation. A novel investigational device for Mechanical Affective Touch Therapy (MATT) was created to stimulate C-tactile fibers through gentle vibrations delivered by piezoelectric actuators on the bilateral mastoid processes.Methods
22 adults with anxiety disorders and at least moderate anxiety symptom severity enrolled in an open-label pilot trial that involved MATT self-administration using a simple headset at home at least twice per day for 4 weeks. Resting EEG data were acquired before and after a baseline MATT session and again before the final MATT session. Self-report measures of mood and anxiety were collected at baseline, week 2, and week 4, while interoception was assessed pre- and post-treatment.Results
Anxiety and depressive symptoms improved significantly from baseline to endpoint, and mindfulness was enhanced. EEG metrics confirmed an association between acute MATT stimulation and oscillatory power in alpha and theta bands; symptom changes correlated with changes in some metrics.Conclusion
Open-label data suggest MATT is a promising non-invasive therapeutic approach to anxiety disorders that warrants further development.
SUBMITTER: Carpenter LL
PROVIDER: S-EPMC9072623 | biostudies-literature | 2022
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Carpenter Linda L LL Kronenberg Eugenia F EF Tirrell Eric E Kokdere Fatih F Beck Quincy M QM Temereanca Simona S Fukuda Andrew M AM Garikapati Sahithi S Hagberg Sean S
Frontiers in psychiatry 20220422
<h4>Background</h4>Most external peripheral nerve stimulation devices designed to alter mood states use electrical energy, but mechanical stimulation for activation of somatosensory pathways may be harnessed for potential therapeutic neuromodulation. A novel investigational device for Mechanical Affective Touch Therapy (MATT) was created to stimulate C-tactile fibers through gentle vibrations delivered by piezoelectric actuators on the bilateral mastoid processes.<h4>Methods</h4>22 adults with a ...[more]