In a bold step toward enhancing patient safety, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced its intention to ban electrical stimulation devices (ESDs) used for curbing self-injurious or aggressive behavior. Spearheaded by Owen Faris, Ph.D., the acting director of the Office of Product Evaluation and Quality within the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health, this initiative underscores the agency’s commitment to safeguarding individuals from treatments deemed hazardous.
This decisive action reflects the FDA’s dedication to upholding the highest standards of medical ethics and patient care, especially for the most vulnerable populations who may not have the ability to consent to or fully understand the implications of such treatments. By addressing the substantial risks associated with the use of electrical stimulation devices, including potential psychological and physical harm, the FDA aims to ensure that therapeutic interventions for behavioral management are both safe and effective. The proposal to ban these devices, therefore, marks a significant milestone in the ongoing effort to protect public health and foster a more compassionate approach to treating behavioral conditions.
FDA Renews Efforts to Ban Electrical Stimulation Devices Amid Concerns Over Harmful Effects
The proposal to eliminate electrical stimulation devices from medical practice marks the FDA’s renewed effort to mitigate the risks associated with such devices, following a previous legal challenge that invalidated the initial ban in 2020. ESDs, which work by delivering shocks through electrodes to discourage harmful behaviors, have been criticized for their potential psychological and physical harms, including depression, anxiety, and even tissue damage.
Despite their intended therapeutic use, the significant adverse effects linked to electrical stimulation devices have prompted the FDA to reassess their legality, especially considering the vulnerable populations often subject to these treatments. Many individuals subjected to ESD interventions have intellectual or developmental disabilities, complicating their ability to consent to or reject such methods.
This regulatory action stems from a comprehensive review of new data and extensive consultation with experts, state agencies, affected families, and disability rights advocates. The collective input reinforced the FDA’s stance that ESDs pose an “unreasonable and substantial risk” to patients, outweighing any purported benefits for managing self-destructive or aggressive actions.
Focusing on Ethical Transition at Judge Rotenberg Education Center
Only one facility, the Judge Rotenberg Education Center in Massachusetts, is known to utilize ESDs, affecting approximately 50 individuals within their care. The FDA’s proposed rule aims not only to withdraw electrical stimulation devices from the market but also to ensure a thoughtful transition for those currently reliant on such devices, emphasizing the need for revised treatment approaches that prioritize patient welfare and rights.
The proposal is open for public commentary until May 28, 2024, after which the FDA will decide on the implementation of this significant rule. This action reflects the agency’s broader mandate to protect public health and its ability to adapt regulations in response to evolving scientific evidence and societal values.
Resource: Food and Drug Administration, March 25, 2024

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