Largest user analysis of its type in a real-world setting
Drug-free, at-home treatment helped 81% of patients feel better after three weeks
Minimal side effects, no prescription required and Flow can be delivered to your home within 48 hours
London, Wednesday 12 August, 2020 - In the largest user analysis of its type, 81% of patients using a brain stimulation headset and therapy app to treat depression reported feeling better after three weeks, with minimal side effects. Flow is the first drug-free, at-home treatment of its type to be medically approved in the EU and UK. In the user analysis, 81% of patients reported feeling better after three weeks of treatment. 34% of patients reported an improvement in their mood, while 32% of patients reported a reduction in anxiety and 29% reported a reduction in suicidal thoughts.
COVID is changing how depression is managed, and driving a meaningful increase in demand for effective, at-home treatments that are safe, have minimal side effects and do not require a prescription, says Daniel Mansson, clinical psychologist and co-founder of Flow. The results in this user analysis are comparable to antidepressants, and demonstrate the significant benefits of using Flow to self-manage depression. They add to the growing body of medical evidence that supports the use of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) for the treatment of depression - and gives further impetus for the NHS to add Flow as one of their first lines of treatment.
The type of brain stimulation used in the Flow headset (tDCS) has been shown in numerous clinical randomised controlled trials, including New England Journal of Medicine and the British Journal of Psychiatry, to have a similar impact to antidepressants, but with fewer and less-severe side effects.1,2,3
UK clinics, including The Chelsea Psychology Clinic in London, are now offering patients the Flow treatment in combination with traditional therapy options.
Depression is the leading cause of global disability, affecting over 300 million people, with a huge cost for healthcare systems worldwide.4 Nearly one in four adults in the UK are affected by a mental illness.5 The economic cost of mental illness in the UK is an estimated 105.2 billion,6 and one in three work sickness notes handed out by GPs are for mental health reasons, including depression.7
While using the Flow tDCS headset, patients engaged with a therapy app program, which offers personalised behavioural therapy in areas proven to reduce symptoms of depression, including nutrition, exercise and sleep. NHS trusts and healthcare professionals can now recommend the Flow app to patients as it was recently added to the ORCHA App Library.
The Flow headset is available to buy here and can be delivered in 48 hours. The Flow app is free to download on AppStore and GooglePlay.
About the user analysis
In the user analysis, 850 patients with clinically diagnosed depression used the at-home Flow treatment, which comprises a wearable headset that gently stimulates the brain using transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). During the treatment, patients engaged with the Flow therapy app. Patients were assessed at the beginning of the treatment and at monthly follow-ups using MADRS, one of the worlds most popular, clinically validated, diagnostic questionnaires to measure the severity of depressive episodes. Psychological measures (wellbeing, mood, anxiety, suicidal thoughts) were the primary outcomes. 81% of patients reported feeling better after three weeks of treatment. 34% of patients reported an improvement in their mood, 32% of patients reported a reduction in anxiety and 29% reported a reduction in suicidal thoughts.
About Flow Neuroscience
Medical device company Flow has developed the first, and only, medically approved home brain stimulation treatment for depression. The headset and accompanying therapy app empowers and motivates individuals to take control, self-manage and reduce the risk of depression with effective, non-pharmacological, digital alternatives. Flow was founded by clinical psychologist Daniel Mansson and neuroscientist Erik Rehn, and consists of prominent researchers in the field of psychiatry, clinical psychology, brain stimulation, neuroscience and machine learning. The company was founded in 2016 and is based in Sweden. For more information, please visit https://flowneuroscience.com/home/partnership/
References
1Brunoni, A. R., Moffa, A. H., Sampaio-Junior, B., Borrione, L., Moreno, M. L., Fernandes, R. A., Benseor, I. M. (2017). Trial of Electrical Direct-Current Therapy versus Escitalopram for Depression. New England Journal of Medicine (26), 25232533. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa1612999
2Brunoni, A. R., Moffa, A. H., Fregni, F., Palm, U., Padberg, F., Blumberger, D. M., Loo, C. K. (2016). Transcranial direct current stimulation for acute major depressive episodes: meta-analysis of individual patient data. The British Journal of Psychiatry : The Journal of Mental Science, 208(6), 522531.https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.bp.115.164715
3Bikson et al., Safety of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation: Evidence Based Update 2016. Brain Stimulation, 9(2016), 641661. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.brs.2016.06.004
4WHO Depression key facts https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression
5NHS England: Mental Health https://www.england.nhs.uk/mental-health/
6Department of Health: No health without mental health
7One in three 'sick notes' for mental health, says NHS https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-41124238
See the article here:
Flow depression treatment helps 81% of patients to feel better after three weeks - PharmiWeb.com
- Cristina Savin and Tim Vogels discuss how AI has shaped their neuroscience research - The Transmitter: Neuroscience News and Perspectives - October 13th, 2024 [October 13th, 2024]
- Should I stay (and eat) or should I go? How the brain balances hunger with competing drives - The Transmitter: Neuroscience News and Perspectives - October 13th, 2024 [October 13th, 2024]
- How neuroscience comics add KA-POW! to the field: Q&A with Kanaka Rajan - The Transmitter: Neuroscience News and Perspectives - October 13th, 2024 [October 13th, 2024]
- Neuroscience research sheds light on how psilocybin alters spatial awareness - PsyPost - October 13th, 2024 [October 13th, 2024]
- Newly Discovered Protein Complex Shapes Synapses and Mental Health - Neuroscience News - October 13th, 2024 [October 13th, 2024]
- The Neuroscience Behind Immersive Filmmaking - Raindance - October 13th, 2024 [October 13th, 2024]
- What are mechanisms? Unpacking the term is key to progress in neuroscience - The Transmitter: Neuroscience News and Perspectives - October 13th, 2024 [October 13th, 2024]
- Kentucky neuroscience doctor honored with national distinction - wnky.com - October 13th, 2024 [October 13th, 2024]
- Cell X Technologies and Aspen Neuroscience collaborate to address throughput and scalability in manufacturing automation to facilitate iPSC cell... - October 13th, 2024 [October 13th, 2024]
- Tracking Daily Habits Lasting Effects on the Brain - Neuroscience News - October 13th, 2024 [October 13th, 2024]
- Dak Prescott Was Silent After Hearing It From a Teammate. Its a Lesson in Emotional Intelligence (Backed By Neuroscience) - Inc. - October 13th, 2024 [October 13th, 2024]
- Helping Kids Fact-Check in the Age of Misinformation - Neuroscience News - October 13th, 2024 [October 13th, 2024]
- Study Links Calorie Restriction to Longevity - Neuroscience News - October 13th, 2024 [October 13th, 2024]
- A Princeton Professor Walks into a Neuroscience Meeting -- Many Years Later It Leads to a Nobel Prize in Physics - TAPinto.net - October 13th, 2024 [October 13th, 2024]
- Try these neuroscience-backed tactics to train your brain to make better decisions - Fast Company - October 2nd, 2024 [October 2nd, 2024]
- Tips to navigate SfN as a trainee - The Transmitter: Neuroscience News and Perspectives - October 2nd, 2024 [October 2nd, 2024]
- Neuroscience Says This 10-Minute Brain Exercise Will Make You Mentally Sharper and Keep You Focused All Day - Inc. - October 2nd, 2024 [October 2nd, 2024]
- Successful people do this 1 thing to be 'happier, more productive, less stressed' at work, says CEO and neuroscience researcher - CNBC - October 2nd, 2024 [October 2nd, 2024]
- Utilizing the Power of Neuroscience, Isabella Kensington May Have Cracked the Code Between Music and Healing - AOL - October 2nd, 2024 [October 2nd, 2024]
- Steve Jobs swore the 10-minute rule made him smarter. Modern neuroscience is discovering he was right - The Star Online - October 2nd, 2024 [October 2nd, 2024]
- Steve Jobs Swore the 10-Minute Rule Made Him Smarter. Modern Neuroscience Is Discovering He Was Right - Inc. - October 2nd, 2024 [October 2nd, 2024]
- Neural manifolds: Latest buzzword or pathway to understand the brain? - The Transmitter: Neuroscience News and Perspectives - October 2nd, 2024 [October 2nd, 2024]
- Neuroscience Says 3 Brainy Habits Will Make You More Efficient, Productive, and Focused - Inc. - October 2nd, 2024 [October 2nd, 2024]
- Ethics, AI, and Neuroscience Converge at Mental Health, Brain, and Behavioral Science Research Day - The University of Utah - October 2nd, 2024 [October 2nd, 2024]
- The neuroscience of campus memories - The Stanford Daily - October 2nd, 2024 [October 2nd, 2024]
- How the Brain Enhances Sleep Through Synaptic Strength - Neuroscience News - October 2nd, 2024 [October 2nd, 2024]
- Neanderthoids and space brains: Stem cell researcher pushes the boundaries of neuroscience - Medical Xpress - October 2nd, 2024 [October 2nd, 2024]
- Nancy Padilla-Coreano - The Transmitter: Neuroscience News and Perspectives - October 2nd, 2024 [October 2nd, 2024]
- Utilizing the Power of Neuroscience, Isabella Kensington May Have Cracked the Code Between Music and Healing - Spin - October 2nd, 2024 [October 2nd, 2024]
- Genetic Variants Linked to Alzheimers Trigger Inflammation in Females - Neuroscience News - October 2nd, 2024 [October 2nd, 2024]
- New Astrocyte Target for Alzheimers Therapy - Neuroscience News - October 2nd, 2024 [October 2nd, 2024]
- Is an ankle sprain also a brain injury? How neuroscience is helping athletes, astronauts and average Joes - The Conversation Indonesia - October 2nd, 2024 [October 2nd, 2024]
- 5 Brain Strategies to Dramatically Reduce Conflict and Boost Your Leadership, Backed by Neuroscience - Inc. - September 23rd, 2024 [September 23rd, 2024]
- Fascinating neuroscience research reveals a key mechanism underlying human cognition - PsyPost - September 23rd, 2024 [September 23rd, 2024]
- Averaging is a convenient fiction of neuroscience - The Transmitter: Neuroscience News and Perspectives - September 23rd, 2024 [September 23rd, 2024]
- Repeat scans reveal brain changes that precede childbirth - The Transmitter: Neuroscience News and Perspectives - September 23rd, 2024 [September 23rd, 2024]
- Neuroscience helps explain the teenage brain and mental health - ABC News - September 15th, 2024 [September 15th, 2024]
- XX Marks the Spot: Addressing Sex Bias in Neuroscience - The Scientist - September 15th, 2024 [September 15th, 2024]
- Neuroscience-based tools for transformative leadership - Fast Company - September 15th, 2024 [September 15th, 2024]
- How 100 Years of EEG Have Transformed Neuroscience - Being Patient - September 15th, 2024 [September 15th, 2024]
- Reconstructing dopamines link to reward - The Transmitter: Neuroscience News and Perspectives - September 15th, 2024 [September 15th, 2024]
- The neuroscience of itch in relation to transdiagnostic psychological approaches - Nature.com - September 15th, 2024 [September 15th, 2024]
- A README for open neuroscience - The Transmitter: Neuroscience News and Perspectives - September 15th, 2024 [September 15th, 2024]
- Dopamine and the need for alternative theories - The Transmitter: Neuroscience News and Perspectives - September 15th, 2024 [September 15th, 2024]
- Kim Stachenfeld on the dance between neuroscience and artificial intelligence - The Transmitter: Neuroscience News and Perspectives - September 15th, 2024 [September 15th, 2024]
- Vijay Mohan K. Namboodiri - The Transmitter: Neuroscience News and Perspectives - September 15th, 2024 [September 15th, 2024]
- Varied Cognitive Training Boosts Learning and Memory - Neuroscience News - September 15th, 2024 [September 15th, 2024]
- Issue | September 2024 | XX Marks the Spot: Addressing Sex Bias in Neuroscience - The Scientist - September 15th, 2024 [September 15th, 2024]
- The Transmitter Partners With World Wide Neuro and Brain Inspired, Building on Mission to Inform, Connect Neuroscience Community - StreetInsider.com - September 15th, 2024 [September 15th, 2024]
- Gene Therapy Offers Hope for Glaucoma and AMD - Neuroscience News - September 15th, 2024 [September 15th, 2024]
- The Neuroscience of Phantom Sensations: Can We Feel Whats Not Really There? - SciTechDaily - September 2nd, 2024 [September 2nd, 2024]
- Tau May Protect Brain Cells from Oxidative Damage - Neuroscience News - September 2nd, 2024 [September 2nd, 2024]
- Scientists use fainting to uncover new insights into the neuroscience of consciousness - PsyPost - September 2nd, 2024 [September 2nd, 2024]
- Biosensors and being fearless with Lin Tian - The Transmitter: Neuroscience News and Perspectives - September 2nd, 2024 [September 2nd, 2024]
- Can Neuroscience Train Your Brain to Be Happier? This Startup Has an App for That - Inc. - September 2nd, 2024 [September 2nd, 2024]
- Neuroscience Surprise: Different Types of Love Light Up Different Parts of the Brain - SciTechDaily - September 2nd, 2024 [September 2nd, 2024]
- Second paper from lab of Nobel Prize winner to be retracted - The Transmitter: Neuroscience News and Perspectives - September 2nd, 2024 [September 2nd, 2024]
- How cognitive bias affects your draft strategy with neuroscience professor Dr. Renee Miller - Yahoo Sports - August 5th, 2024 [August 5th, 2024]
- This 3-step approach to performance reviews uses neuroscience to make them less awful - Fast Company - August 5th, 2024 [August 5th, 2024]
- Is it time to worry about brain chimeras? - The Transmitter: Neuroscience News and Perspectives - August 5th, 2024 [August 5th, 2024]
- Sharing brain images can foster new neuroscience discoveries - American Heart Association - July 26th, 2024 [July 26th, 2024]
- Latest News: Neuroscience Major Applies What Shes Learned in the Classroom and in the Lab - Muhlenberg College - July 26th, 2024 [July 26th, 2024]
- BioIVT to Highlight its Integral Role in Drug and Diagnostic Discovery and Development in addition to Neuroscience Research at Premier Life Science... - July 26th, 2024 [July 26th, 2024]
- Alto Neuroscience Receives Funding Award from Wellcome Trust to Accelerate Development of ALTO-100 in Bipolar Depression Leveraging Precision... - July 26th, 2024 [July 26th, 2024]
- Neuroscience Says 3 Simple Steps Can Turn Disappointment and Stress Into Success and Fulfillment (and Boost Your Emotional Intelligence) - Inc. - July 26th, 2024 [July 26th, 2024]
- Golf: neuroscience reveals the secrets of better putting new study - The Conversation - July 26th, 2024 [July 26th, 2024]
- The Neuroscience Behind Video: Why Video is the Most Effective Marketing Channel - StreamTV Insider - July 26th, 2024 [July 26th, 2024]
- Building an autism research registry: Q&A with Tony Charman - The Transmitter: Neuroscience News and Perspectives - July 26th, 2024 [July 26th, 2024]
- Adjusting Proteins Increases Ozempics Effectiveness - Neuroscience News - July 18th, 2024 [July 18th, 2024]
- Low-Calorie Diets Harm Athletes Performance and Health - Neuroscience News - July 18th, 2024 [July 18th, 2024]
- Reflective Thinking Boosts Teen Brain Resilience to Violence - Neuroscience News - July 18th, 2024 [July 18th, 2024]
- Neuroscience Says Olympians Like Simone Biles Use the Autopilot Trick to Achieve Peak Performance. So Can You - Inc. - July 18th, 2024 [July 18th, 2024]
- What well-being is (and isnt), according to neuroscience - Big Think - July 18th, 2024 [July 18th, 2024]
- Brain Areas Take Micro-Naps While the Rest Stays Awake - Neuroscience News - July 18th, 2024 [July 18th, 2024]
- Persistent protein pairing enables memories to last - The Transmitter: Neuroscience News and Perspectives - July 18th, 2024 [July 18th, 2024]
- AI Enhances Story Creativity but Risks Reducing Novelty - Neuroscience News - July 18th, 2024 [July 18th, 2024]
- Infection Brain Inflammation Triggers Muscle Weakness - Neuroscience News - July 18th, 2024 [July 18th, 2024]
- Alto Neuroscience, Inc. (NYSE:ANRO) Receives Average Rating of Buy from Analysts - Defense World - July 18th, 2024 [July 18th, 2024]
- 2024 Kavli Prize awarded for research on face-selective brain areas - The Transmitter: Neuroscience News and Perspectives - June 18th, 2024 [June 18th, 2024]
- Unlocking Flow: The Neuroscience of Creative Bliss - Neuroscience News - April 15th, 2024 [April 15th, 2024]