John (name changed), 30, struggled with depression, anxiety, and sleep issues. After experiencing serious side effects from psychiatric medications, he sought another option. Under the care of psychiatrist Dr. Avinash Desousa at Sir H.N. Reliance Foundation Hospital in Mumbai, John began treatment with a device called EASE, developed by Indian health-tech startup Marbles Health.
Instead of altering brain chemistry like medication, EASE uses gentle electrical stimulation to target brain activity. After 30 sessions of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), along with psychotherapy, John experienced significant improvements and now continues with weekly maintenance sessions.
What is EASE tDCS?
EASE is the first licensed neuromodulation device of its kind developed in India. It uses a non-invasive technique known as tDCS, which delivers small, safe electrical currents to specific brain regions.
The portable, headband-style device has two functions:
- The upper part provides therapeutic brain stimulation.
- The lower part monitors brain activity using EEG technology.
It also includes Cognitive Emotional Training (CET), which may boost cognitive function when paired with stimulation.
Why was it developed?
Founders Ramya Yellapragada and Lakshay Sahni were inspired by personal experiences with loved ones struggling with mental illness. They aimed to create a device that was effective, affordable, and scalable—addressing the fact that many existing neuromodulation systems are prohibitively expensive for most hospitals.
How effective is it?
In trials, patients using EASE reported:
- More than 60% improvement in depression and anxiety symptoms within two weeks.
- No major side effects observed.
- Benefits across other conditions, including OCD, phobias, addiction, and schizophrenia symptoms.
Research studies, including one at AIIMS Delhi, continue to evaluate its safety and effectiveness. Marbles Health has already partnered with 40 hospitals in India and signed agreements with the UK’s NHS for further studies.
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