---
title: "Evidence: microcurrent for sleep and mood"
description: "A microcurrent device improved depression and physical well-being, and altered brain activity, in people with subclinical insomnia, but did not…"
url: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s171.md"
canonical: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s171.html"
html: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s171.html"
type: "study"
study_key: "s171"
journal: "J Sleep Res"
year: 2023
pmid: "37366366"
doi: "10.1111/jsr.13978"
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"
---

# Evidence: microcurrent for sleep and mood

[Home](https://magellanlongevity.com/) › [Research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) › Evidence: microcurrent for sleep and mood

**HTML version:** https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s171.html · **In the Magellan app:** https://magellanlongevity.com/#/study/s171

## Citation

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Journal | J Sleep Res |
| Year | 2023 |
| PMID | [37366366](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37366366/) |
| DOI | [10.1111/jsr.13978](https://doi.org/10.1111/jsr.13978) |
| Study key | s171 |

## Takeaway

A microcurrent device improved depression and physical well-being, and altered brain activity, in people with subclinical insomnia, but did not significantly improve sleep more than a sham device.

## The question

Can a novel microcurrent device improve sleep and mood symptoms in individuals with subclinical insomnia?

## Hypothesis

The researchers hypothesized that a novel cranial electrotherapy stimulation device providing stable electronic stimulation would improve sleep and accompanying mood symptoms in people with subclinical insomnia.

## Methods

Participants with subclinical insomnia were randomly assigned to either an active or a sham device group. They used the device for 30 minutes, twice daily, for two weeks. Outcome measures included questionnaires for sleep, depression, anxiety, and quality of life, 4-day actigraphy, and 64-channel electroencephalography.

## Results

The active device group showed significant improvement in depression (p = 0.032) and physical well-being (p = 0.041) compared to the sham group. Anxiety also improved in the active group, but not significantly (p = 0.090). Both groups reported significant subjective sleep improvement, with no significant difference between groups. Electroencephalography changes after two weeks were significantly different between groups, particularly for occipital delta (p = 0.008), beta power (p = 0.012), and temporo-parieto-occipital theta (p = 0.022).

## Conclusion

Cranial electrotherapy stimulation may be an adjunctive therapy to improve psychological symptoms and alter brain activity.

## Limitations

The study's limitations include the need for further investigation into the device's effects in a clinical population and the optimal stimulation parameters.

## Verbatim from the abstract

> cranial electrotherapy stimulation can improve sleep and accompanying mood symptoms

## P-values for Improvements with Active Device vs. Sham

| Measure | P-value |
| --- | --- |
| Depression | 0.032 |
| Physical Well-being | 0.041 |
| Anxiety | 0.09 |
| Occipital Delta Power (EEG) | 0.008 |
| Occipital Beta Power (EEG) | 0.012 |
| Temporo-parieto-occipital Theta (EEG) | 0.022 |

*P-values indicating the significance of improvements in the active device group compared to the sham group for various outcomes.*

## 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. **Evidence: microcurrent for sleep and mood**
   J Sleep Res 2023 · [PMID 37366366](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37366366/) · [DOI 10.1111/jsr.13978](https://doi.org/10.1111/jsr.13978)

   > cranial electrotherapy stimulation can improve sleep and accompanying mood symptoms

## Structured data

```json
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"MedicalWebPage","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s171.html#page","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s171.html","name":"Evidence: microcurrent for sleep and mood","description":"A microcurrent device improved depression and physical well-being, and altered brain activity, in people with subclinical insomnia, but did not…","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/s171.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":"Evidence: microcurrent for sleep and mood","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s171.html"}]},{"@type":"ScholarlyArticle","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s171.html#study","name":"Evidence: microcurrent for sleep and mood","headline":"Evidence: microcurrent for sleep and mood","datePublished":"2023","isPartOf":{"@type":"Periodical","name":"J Sleep Res"},"identifier":"PMID:37366366","url":"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37366366/","sameAs":"https://doi.org/10.1111/jsr.13978","abstract":"A microcurrent device improved depression and physical well-being, and altered brain activity, in people with subclinical insomnia, but did not significantly improve sleep more than a sham device."}]}
```

## Related on Magellan Longevity

- [Benefits and Harms of Cranial Electrical Stimulation for Pain, Depression, Anxiety, and…](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d29435567.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).