SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR APPLYING ELECTRICAL ENERGY TO TREAT PSORIASIS
Methods and apparatuses for treating a medical disorder by the application of non-invasive electrical stimulation. The applied electrical energy may cause autonomic nervous system (ANS) neuromodulation. In general, described herein are methods for electrical energy to a subject, and particularly to the subject's neck with an electrical waveform adapted to improve the medical disorder. Specifically, described herein are methods and apparatuses for treating a patient having psoriasis by non-invasively applying electrical energy.
1 . A method of treating psoriasis in a subject suffering from psoriasis by non-invasively applying electrical energy, the method comprising: non-invasively applying electrical energy to the subject to reduce one or more of the size and number of psoriasis plaques, wherein the applied electrical energy has a peak amplitude of greater than 3 mA, a frequency of greater than 250 Hz, and a duty cycle of greater than 15%.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein non-invasively applying comprises applying electrical energy between a first electrode and a second electrode attached to either or both of the subject's head and neck, wherein the first electrode is attached at a first location and a second electrode is attached at a second location, further wherein the first and the second electrode are coupled to a non-invasive electrical energy applicator worn by the subject.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein non-invasively applying comprises applying the electrical energy between electrodes along a midline of a back of the subject's neck.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the electrical energy is applied 5 or more days a week at least once per day for at least two weeks.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the electrical energy is applied at least once per day for at least 10 minutes each day for at least two weeks.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the electrical energy is applied at least once per day for at least 15 minutes each day for at least three weeks.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the electrical energy has a peak amplitude of greater than 3 mA, a frequency of greater than 1 kHz, and a duty cycle of 20% or more.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein non-invasively applying further comprises applying the electrical energy to a patient being treated with a drug for psoriasis.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein non-invasively applying comprises applying the electrical energy having a charge per phase of between 0.1-10 μC/phase.
10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein non-invasively applying comprises applying the electrical energy having a duty cycle of between 20% and 90%.
11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein non-invasively applying comprises applying the electrical energy having a duty cycle of between 20% and 60%.
12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein non-invasively applying comprises applying the electrical energy having a peak amplitude of 5 mA or greater.
13 . The method of claim 1 , wherein non-invasively applying comprises applying the electrical energy having amplitude modulation, and further wherein the amplitude modulation has a frequency of less than 250 Hz.
14 . A method of treating psoriasis in a subject suffering from psoriasis by non-invasively applying electrical energy, the method comprising: non-invasively applying electrical energy to the subject to reduce one or more of the size and number of psoriasis plaques, wherein the electrical energy is applied for a session of at least 5 minutes per day, for at least 8 treatment sessions.
15 . The method of claim 14 wherein the electrical energy is applied for at least 10 minutes per day, each of 5 or more days a week for at least two weeks.
16 . The method of claim 14 , wherein non-invasively applying electrical energy comprises applying electrical energy between a first electrode and a second electrode attached to either or both of the subject's head and neck, wherein the first electrode is attached at a first location and a second electrode is attached at a second location, further wherein the first and the second electrode are coupled to an electrical energy applicator worn by the subject.
17 . The method of claim 14 , wherein non-invasively applying comprises applying the electrical energy between electrodes along a midline of a back of the subject's neck.
18 . The method of claim 14 , wherein non-invasively applying comprises applying the electrical energy having a charge per phase of between 0.1-10 μC/phase
19 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the applied electrical energy has a peak amplitude of greater than 3 mA, a frequency of greater than 1 kHz, and a duty cycle of 20% or more.
20 . The method of claim 14 , wherein non-invasively applying further comprises applying the electrical energy to a patient being treated with a drug for psoriasis.
21 . The method of claim 14 , wherein non-invasively applying comprises applying a biphasic electrical energy that is asymmetric with respect to positive and negative going phases.
22 . The method of claim 14 , wherein non-invasively applying comprises applying the electrical energy having amplitude modulation, and further wherein the amplitude modulation has a frequency of less than 250 Hz.
23 . A method of treating psoriasis in a subject suffering from psoriasis by non-invasively applying electrical energy, the method comprising: attaching at least one of a pair of electrodes to a region along a midline of a back of the subject's neck; applying electrical energy between the pair of electrodes to reduce one more ore of the size and number of psoriasis plaques.
24 . The method of claim 23 , wherein the electrical energy is applied for at least 10 minutes per day, each of 5 or more days a week for at least two weeks.
25 . The method of claim 23 , wherein non-invasively applying comprises applying the electrical energy having a charge per phase of between 0.1-10 μC/phase
26 . The method of claim 23 , wherein the applied electrical energy has a peak amplitude of greater than 3 mA, a frequency of greater than 1 kHz, and a duty cycle of 20% or more.
27 . The method of claim 23 , wherein non-invasively applying further comprises applying the electrical energy to a patient being treated with a drug for psoriasis.
28 . The method of claim 23 , wherein non-invasively applying comprises applying a biphasic electrical energy that is asymmetric with respect to positive and negative going phases.
29 . The method of claim 23 , wherein non-invasively applying comprises applying the electrical energy having amplitude modulation, and further wherein the amplitude modulation has a frequency of less than 250 Hz.