Electric Headset for Depression Gains NHS Approval

Flow Neuroscience’s wearable headset has been used by over 25,000 people

This electric headset is making headlines for treating depression, thanks to a successful NHS trial.

The gadget from Flow Neuroscience has shown to be safe and importanly… it’s effective.

Patients in the trial wore it for 30 minutes daily over six weeks and it helped manage their depression symptoms non-invasively.

The headset uses a technique called transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to deliver a gentle zap to the brain’s emotional hubs. The results? A whopping 58% saw improvements, and one in three went into full remission.

“The headset was twice as effective as the most commonly prescribed antidepressants.”

Flow Neuroscience proudly call it the “first and only medically approved at-home treatment for depression.” You can pair it with other therapies or medications, and it’s already being used by the Northamptonshire NHS Foundations Trust. You can also buy it privately for £399.

One patient explains, “I was just so low, I didn’t really have any goals and would just go through the motions of day-to-day life.” But after a few weeks with the headset, he noticed significant improvements. “I was starting to sleep better. The wife even said I was happier. I wasn’t waking up grumpy.” James Maynard told Sky News.

However, the jury’s still out on the long-term effects of this device. GP Dr. Anita Raja pointed out, “When it comes to mental health, one of the most important things is understanding what the relapse of the patient may be once the treatment stops or is withheld.”

Despite this, the device is flying off the shelves, with nearly 20,000 private sales across the UK and Europe since its 2019 launch. In just one year, Flow saw a 700% increase in new patients ordering the headset. Experts and those with long-term severe depression are calling this a “milestone” in mental health care.

“There is high-quality, comparative evidence from the UK that Flow can improve the symptoms of depression and lead to remission.” – National Institute for Health & Care Excellence

Flow Neuroscience recently announced their US FDA pivotal clinical trial results, which showed that the headset was twice as effective as the most commonly prescribed antidepressants. In the largest clinical trial of its kind, 56% of participants were free of depressive symptoms within 10 weeks, and daily use was confirmed to be safe with minimal side effects.

So, what’s the magic behind this brain-boosting headset? It uses electromagnetic currents to stimulate specific brain areas, improving depression symptoms. The tDCS technique involves a weak direct current applied to the forehead, which can be used alone or alongside other treatments.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has reviewed Flow and concluded it’s a clear option for moderate to severe depression, especially if other treatments haven’t worked.

Using this device at home could also cut the costs of treating depression. NICE’s overall assessment? “There is high-quality, comparative evidence from the UK that Flow can improve the symptoms of depression and lead to remission.”

How does it work?

“When you experience depression, there are lower levels of activity in the front area of your brain. This is the part responsible for regulating mood, sleep and motivation. Your brain runs on electricity; Flow sends gentle electrical impulses into the area that has slowed down. This gets cells firing again and reduces your symptoms of depression,” the company explained in an official statement.

The technology, known as tDCS (transcranial Direct Current Stimulation), was previously expensive and available only in clinics. With Flow, you can now access this treatment at home.