Insomnia can increase the risk of cardiovascular events, obesity, diabetes, and other illnesses, so scientists are seeking ways to minimize this health threat. A study conducted by Wake Forest University School of Medicine researchers demonstrated that using a high-resolution, acoustic stimulation neurotechnology can significantly improve sleep quality and the autonomic nervous system.
In this randomized and controlled study of 22 adults, researchers compared changes in the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), a self-reporting instrument to assess insomnia symptoms. Acoustic stimulation neurotechnology, called Cereset ResearchTM with Standard Operating Procedures (CR-SOP), involves using scalp sensors to monitor brain waves and software algorithms to translate specific frequencies into audible tones of varying pitch. The tones connected to brain waves are echoed back via earbuds. Roughly half of the participants received 10 sessions of CR-SOP linked to brain waves. This process allows the brain a chance to listen to itself in this acoustic mirroring process.
The control group received 10 sessions of randomly generated auditory tones. Heart rate and blood pressure were recorded to assess autonomic cardiovascular regulation.
After completion of the sessions, the participants in the CR-SOP group reported reduced insomnia. They also showed clinically significant improvements in autonomic function across multiple measures. These measures included heart rate variability (HRV, which reflects the health of the autonomic nervous system) and baroreflex sensitivity (BRS measures blood pressure regulation). HRV is associated with many critical health and well-being outcomes. Chair of neurology at Wake Forest University School of Medicine Charles H. Tegeler, M.D., explained how the nanotechnology device works: “CR-SOP allows the brain to reset from stress patterns that contribute to insomnia. During the intervention, the brain continuously updates with respect to its own activity patterns, resulting in auto-calibration or self-optimization.” The study used standard operating procedures to ensure all participants received the same sequence of protocols.
Sources: Eureka News Alert, Global Advances in Integrative Medicine and Health, Wake Forest University School of Medicine
