Presented at the 10th Annual Force Health Protection Conference
August 9, 2007 Louisville, Kentucky

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Abstract
As of 2005, Alpha-Stim® cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES) is available via the Federal Supply Schedule for DoD and VA (Contract No. V797P-4800a). This session will discuss the safety and efficacy of CES as a primary therapy for combat operational stress response and post traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, insomnia, depression, aggression, and pain management. The focus will be on experiential findings with CES in Operation Iraqi Freedom, and in 18 years of use with soldiers and veterans. It will also summarize the 50 year history of CES, indications and contraindications, research focus on more than 40 double-blind studies included within 126 human and 29 experimental animal studies and several meta-analyses performed to date, proposed mechanisms and practical use of this prescriptive therapy using mild microampere current applied via ear clip electrodes delivered in 20 minute to one hour dosages.

Objectives
1. The participant will gain an overview of CES theories and 50 years of research
2. To be able to use and prescribe CES immediately following this lecture
3. To be able to differentiate patient populations that will benefit from one anxiolytic treatment from those who might require one month or more of daily CES to overcome severe depression
4. To be able to manage soldiers and veterans on CES long term, including adverse effects

Daniel L. Kirsch, PhD, DAAPM, FAIS
Dr. Kirsch is a neurobiologist, board-certified Diplomate of the American Academy of Pain Management and Fellow of the American Institute of Stress. He is an Editor for the Journal of Neurotherapy and Practical Pain Management. He is an expert research consultant to the Houston VAMC where he is presently engaged in a multi-site spinal cord injury study and is developing research projects at the Army Institute for Surgical Research, Brooke Army Medical Center, and William Beaumont Army Medical Center. He served as Clinical Director of The Center and Laboratory for Pain and Stress Related Disorders at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center, NYC, and The Sports Medicine Group, Santa Monica, CA. The Second Edition of Dr. Kirsch’s book, The Science Behind Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation, was published by Medical Scope Publishing Corporation (Edmonton, Alberta) in 2002. Disclosure: Dr. Kirsch is Chairman of Electromedical Products International, Inc. Mineral Wells, Texas. Contact: dan@epii.com or call 1-(800) FOR-PAIN.

Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation (CES): Gateway to Relief and Symptom Reduction in the Treatment of Anxiety Disorders, Depressive Disorders, Chronic Pain, and Sleep Disorders

COL Kathy Platoni, PsyD

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Abstract
From an ethical standpoint, it is ours, as health care providers, to provide all things therapeutic for our veterans and the thousands of military souls suffering from wounds that do not bleed, as well as those patients who seek our services for the amelioration of pain and suffering in its many forms in the civilian sector of mental health practice. It is the ethical obligation of health care providers to possess adequate knowledge and skill to provide those interventions for which they are technically and clinically trained for the good of the patient, the Soldier, the Marine, the Service Member. In regard to military medicine and mental health, the exceptionally distressing and shameful fact is that we are simply not making use of the most effective and powerful weaponry in our stockpile of treatment options in order to diminish the psychological impact and human toll of the battlefield. In a place where turmoil and chaos and unqualified madness rule, the fact that Alpha Stim cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES) technology returns homeostatic balance to the brain, is indeed, notable. This lecture will recount 18 years of civilian and military experience using CES, a safe and effective form of mild electrical stimulation to the brain that has proven effective where other interventions failed in managing combat related symptoms ranging from stress to severe physical disability.

COL Kathy Platoni, Psy.D.
Dr. Platoni has been a practicing clinical psychologist for 25 years and maintained her private practice in Centerville, Ohio until the time of her third voluntary deployment to active duty Army status in October of 2004. She served as commander of the 1972nd Medical Detachment (Combat Stress Control) at Guantanamo Bay Cuba from 2003-2004, where combat stress control became a critical element of the Joint Task Force mission in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in the Global War on Terrorism. Having volunteered to return to active duty within weeks of her redeployment from Joint Task Force-GTMO, Dr. Platoni deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, holding the position of Deputy Commander of Clinical Services for the 55th Medical Company (CSC) in Baghdad and seven subsequent locations, finally as Officer in Charge of Team Ar Ramadi, situated the seat of the insurgency and during times of intensive combat. At the invitation of the 3rd Brigade Commander, 3rd Infantry Division upon the conclusion of her tour of duty in the wartime theater, Dr. Platoni reported to the Home of the Infantry, Fort Benning, Georgia for an additional six month mission in order to provide for the reintegration services of the 2nd Battalion, 69th Armored Regiment due to elevated numbers of psychological casualties among combat arms soldiers.

Dr. Platoni is a graduate of the School of Professional Psychology of Nova University (now Nova Southeastern University) in Davie, Florida. Subsequent to the conclusion of her doctoral studies under the auspices of the United States Army's Health Professionals Scholarship Program, she completed her internship on active duty Army status at William Beaumont Army Medical Center in El Paso, Texas in 1984. From 1984 through 1987, she served as Chief of Psychology at DeWitt Army Community Hospital, Fort Belvoir, Virginia. During her 27 years of both active and Army Reserve status, including a six month tour of duty during Operation Desert Storm, Dr. Platoni developed combat stress control, debriefings and crisis management programs utilized throughout the U.S. Army. As a graduate of the Army's Command and General Staff College, she holds the rank of Colonel and is presently assigned to the 307th Medical Group, based in Blacklick, Ohio.

Dr. Platoni holds appointments as Assistant Clinical Professor with the School of Professional Psychology, Wright State University. She is a skilled hypnotherapist and possesses expertise in the sub-specialty areas of behavioral medicine and the treatment of chronic pain and chronic, debilitating, and terminal illnesses. Since the “9/11” tragedy and attacks on the United States, Dr. Platoni also voluntarily deployed to New York City on two occasions in order to provide disaster mental health and critical incident stress debriefing services to members of the New York City Police Department.