The effects of ultrasound, infrasound, and electroconvulsive stimulations on anxiety-like behavior in mice

Anxiety is a prevalent mental illness worldwide with a considerable burden to health services. We tried to assess the effects of ultrasound, infrasound, and electroconvulsive stimulation on anxiety-like behavior in mice models. In total, 60 male BALB/c mice were included. Our mice were exposed to the urine of cats. Each exposure lasted for 1 hour and was repeated 3 times a day, for 30 days. Then, mice were allocated to 3 groups of experimental (ultrasound, infrasound, and electroconvulsive stimulation) and 1 group of control animals, each including 15 mice. Experimental animals received ultra- or infrasound 0.5 hours or 1 electroconvulsive pulse, daily for 10 days. We used a mouse Elevated Plus Maze to compare anxiety responses between experimental and control groups. The outcome measures were percent entries to, and percent time spent on the open arms were measured. There was a significant effect of the intervention on percent entries into, and time spent on the open arms (MANOVA, p = 0.001). Separate analyses confirmed significant treatment effects on the outcomes (ANOVA, both p = 0.001). Post-hoc tests showed that ultrasound increased percent entries into, and time spent on the open arms. Infrasound did not affect the outcome compared with no-treatment control. Mice with electroconvulsive stimulation entered the open arms less than controls. Ultrasound stimulations are capable of decreasing anxiety. We did not find a significant anxiolytic effect for infrasound. Our results were not compatible with the application of electroconvulsive therapy for the treatment of anxiety.