--- title: "Benefits and Harms of Cranial Electrical Stimulation for Pain,…" description: "Current evidence is insufficient to confirm significant benefits of cranial electrical stimulation for most conditions, though a modest benefit for…" url: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d29435567.md" canonical: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d29435567.html" html: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d29435567.html" type: "study" study_key: "d29435567" journal: "Ann Intern Med" year: 2018 pmid: "29435567" doi: "10.7326/M17-1970" citations: 1 updated: 2026-09-02 author: "Gabriel Radu, DO" author_credentials: "Physiatrist (PM&R). NY medical license 275110. NPI 1376861765." publisher: "Magellan Longevity" content_format: "markdown" --- # Benefits and Harms of Cranial Electrical Stimulation for Pain, Depression, Anxiety, and Insomnia: A Systematic Review [Home](https://magellanlongevity.com/) › [Research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) › Benefits and Harms of Cranial Electrical Stimulation for… **HTML version:** https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d29435567.html · **In the Magellan app:** https://magellanlongevity.com/#/study/d29435567 ## Citation | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Journal | Ann Intern Med | | Year | 2018 | | PMID | [29435567](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29435567/) | | DOI | [10.7326/M17-1970](https://doi.org/10.7326/M17-1970) | | Study key | d29435567 | ## Takeaway Current evidence is insufficient to confirm significant benefits of cranial electrical stimulation for most conditions, though a modest benefit for anxiety and depression is possible. ## The question What are the benefits and harms of cranial electrical stimulation (CES) for adult patients with chronic painful conditions, depression, anxiety, and insomnia? ## Hypothesis The clinical benefit of cranial electrical stimulation (CES) for pain, depression, anxiety, and insomnia is unclear. ## Methods A systematic review was conducted by searching several databases from inception to October 10, 2017, for randomized controlled trials comparing CES with usual care or sham CES. Studies reporting pain, depression, anxiety, or sleep outcomes in adults were included. Data extraction was performed by a single reviewer and checked by another, with dual independent quality assessment and strength-of-evidence grading. ## Results Twenty-eight articles from 26 randomized trials were included. Two trials comparing CES with usual care found no statistically significant benefit for pain or anxiety. Fourteen sham-controlled trials for painful conditions had conflicting results. Five trials (four older, one recent) provided low-strength evidence of a possible modest benefit for anxiety and depression compared with sham. Trials for insomnia (n=2), insomnia and anxiety (n=1), or depression (n=3) had inconclusive or conflicting results. Low-strength evidence suggested CES does not cause serious side effects. ## Conclusion Evidence is insufficient to conclude that CES has clinically important effects on fibromyalgia, headache, neuromusculoskeletal pain, degenerative joint pain, depression, or insomnia. There is low-strength evidence suggesting a modest benefit in patients with anxiety and depression. ## Limitations Most trials had small sample sizes and short durations. All included trials had a high risk of bias due to inadequate blinding. ## Verbatim from the abstract > low-strength evidence suggests modest benefit in patients with anxiety and depression ## Where this study is used on Magellan This paper is one of the citations behind the evidence grade on the pages below. Grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of affiliate commissions. | Compound or device | Evidence grade | Graded pages | | --- | --- | --- | | Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulator | — | — | ## Reference 1. **Benefits and Harms of Cranial Electrical Stimulation for Pain, Depression, Anxiety, and Insomnia: A Systematic Review** Ann Intern Med 2018 · [PMID 29435567](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29435567/) · [DOI 10.7326/M17-1970](https://doi.org/10.7326/M17-1970) > low-strength evidence suggests modest benefit in patients with anxiety and depression ## Structured data ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"MedicalWebPage","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d29435567.html#page","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d29435567.html","name":"Benefits and Harms of Cranial Electrical Stimulation for Pain, Depression, Anxiety, and Insomnia: A…","description":"Current evidence is insufficient to confirm significant benefits of cranial electrical stimulation for most conditions, though a modest benefit for…","inLanguage":"en","isPartOf":{"@type":"WebSite","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Gabriel Radu, DO","jobTitle":"Physiatrist (PM&R)","identifier":[{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NPI","value":"1376861765"},{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NY medical license","value":"275110"}]},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"encoding":{"@type":"MediaObject","encodingFormat":"text/markdown","contentUrl":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d29435567.md"},"dateModified":"2026-09-02"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Research map","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Benefits and Harms of Cranial Electrical Stimulation for…","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d29435567.html"}]},{"@type":"ScholarlyArticle","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d29435567.html#study","name":"Benefits and Harms of Cranial Electrical Stimulation for Pain, Depression, Anxiety, and Insomnia: A Systematic Review","headline":"Benefits and Harms of Cranial Electrical Stimulation for Pain, Depression, Anxiety, and Insomnia: A…","datePublished":"2018","isPartOf":{"@type":"Periodical","name":"Ann Intern Med"},"identifier":"PMID:29435567","url":"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29435567/","sameAs":"https://doi.org/10.7326/M17-1970","abstract":"Current evidence is insufficient to confirm significant benefits of cranial electrical stimulation for most conditions, though a modest benefit for anxiety and depression is possible."}]} ``` ## Related on Magellan Longevity - [Evidence: microcurrent for sleep and mood](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s171.md) - [Longevity research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) - [Evidence-based longevity supplements](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-supplements.md) ## Scope and disclosures Educational information, not medical advice. Nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to your physician before starting any supplement or device, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medication. Editorial firewall: evidence grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of any affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate, Magellan Longevity earns from qualifying purchases. Reviewed for accuracy by a board-certified physician (DO).