The effect of the Apollo Neuro device on anxiety among participants who underwent ketamine assisted therapy.
Level 3 - non-randomized controlled study
Non-randomized cohort study with propensity score matching comparator
PubMed 41082834 · doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2025.09.032
What was done
Researchers evaluated the effect of using the Apollo Neuro wearable vibration device on anxiety symptom reduction among participants in a 12-week ketamine-assisted therapy program (RTT-KAT). The intervention included weekly curriculum and virtual integration sessions with intramuscular ketamine (0.5–1.5 mg/kg, dose range 45–145 mg) administered at weeks 4, 6, and 8. The primary outcome was the change in Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) scores. Propensity score matching based on demographic variables and baseline GAD-7 scores was used to compare participants using the device with control participants who did not use it.
What was found
The final analysis included 16 Apollo device participants and 18 control participants. Median reductions in GAD-7 anxiety scores were observed in both groups. There was no statistically significant difference in mean GAD-7 score change between groups before propensity matching (Welch two-sample t-test, p = 0.572) or after propensity-score balancing (p = 0.63). The abstract did not report absolute numerical baseline, post-treatment, or change scores.
Why it matters
These results suggest that adding the Apollo Neuro vibration device provides no detectable additive benefit for anxiety reduction beyond the standard ketamine-assisted therapy regimen.
Limits
The study lacked randomization, creating potential selection and confounding biases. The sample size was very small (n = 34 total). The abstract does not provide exact point estimates, standard deviations, confidence intervals, or details on device wear-time adherence.
Cited by
- contradicts Clinical and real-world trials of the Apollo Neuro device demonstrate up to a 40% reduction in stress and anxiety.