Magnetic stimulation of a brain allows to win against fear of height

Many people feel fear of height. However it can be overcome by means of the modern medical technologies. One of them – the transkranialny magnetic stimulation (TMS). Its essence – in stimulation of a cerebral cortex by means of short magnetic pulses.

The command of scientists-physicians of university clinic of the German city the Würzburg published results of researches during which by means of TMS and the virtual reality it was succeeded to minimize disturbing disorders of mentality of examinees among which and the fear is heights.

TMS works pointwise, that is influencing certain sections of a brain. Depending on frequency the brain will either be excited, or to inhibit (to be braked). The TMS equipment was initially created as the tool of a research of functions of different sections of a brain, however after its steel to use for treatment of some brain disorders, in particular, migraines, depressions and as a training aid visually impaired for orientation in space.

The previous researches showed that, influencing by means of TMS frontal lobes, it is possible to lower the "general" feeling of alarm. The following stage – depression of alarm "concrete", namely – height pavor.

39 patients suffering from an arophobia (phobia of height) were divided into 2 groups, including control which received imitation of TMS. Groups within 20 minutes were under real impact or imitation of TMS on various sites of a brain with the subsequent immersion in virtual reality which feigned larger height.

After two experiences in the TMS group depression of uneasiness and symptoms of an arophobia in comparison with the control group which didn't receive TMS was noted. The effect of therapy is fixed and continues to work also months later after stimulation.

Now the team of researchers intends to study efficiency of TMS in fight against other steady pavors, in line — an arachnophobia (phobia of spiders).

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