Posted by jrbecker on December 16, 2005, at 10:45:46
In reply to Re: anyone ever use a negative ion generator?, posted by mako23 on December 14, 2005, at 16:19:51
> Is there any bio-chemical reason for a negative ion generator.
it's still very experimental, but here's some info...
http://www.inspiredliving.com/ionic-air-purifiers/negative-ions-serotonin.htm
http://www.webmd.com/content/article/65/72756.htm?z=1668_00000_0000_f1_04Psychol Med. 2005 Jul;35(7):945-55.
Controlled trial of bright light and negative air ions for chronic depression.Goel N, Terman M, Terman JS, Macchi MM, Stewart JW.
BACKGROUND: This randomized controlled trial investigates the efficacy of two non-pharmacologic treatments, bright light and high-density negative air ions for non-seasonal chronic depression. Both methods have shown clinical success for seasonal affective disorder (SAD). METHOD: Patients were 24 (75%) women and 8 (25%) men, ages 22-65 years (mean age +/- S.D., 43.7 +/- 12.4 years), with Major Depressive Disorder, Single Episode (DSM-IV code, 296.2), Chronic (episode duration > or = 2 years). Patients were entered throughout the year and randomly assigned to exposure to bright light (10 000 lux, n = 10), or high-density (4.5 x 10(14) ions/s flow rate, n = 12) or low-density (1.7 x 10(11) ions/s, n = 10, placebo control) negative air ions. Home treatment sessions occurred for 1 h upon awakening for 5 weeks. Blinded raters assessed symptom severity weekly with the Structured Interview Guide for the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale--Seasonal Affective Disorder (SIGH-SAD) version. Evening saliva samples were obtained before and after treatment for ascertainment of circadian melatonin rhythm phase. RESULTS: SIGH-SAD score improvement was 53.7% for bright light and 51.1% for high-density ions v. 170% for low-density ions. Remission rates were 50%, 50% and 0% respectively. The presence or severity of atypical symptoms did not predict response to either treatment modality, nor were phase advances to light associated with positive response. CONCLUSIONS: Both bright light and negative air ions are effective for treatment of chronic depression. Remission rates are similar to those for SAD, but without a seasonal dependency or apparent mediation by circadian rhythm phase shifts. Combination treatment with antidepressant drugs may further enhance clinical response.
poster:jrbecker
thread:588725
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20051208/msgs/589561.html