The effects of audio brainwave entrainment on clinical symptoms and serum biomarkers of neuroplasticity in Fibromyalgia Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Background
Fibromyalgia is a syndrome characterized by chronic, widespread pain. Its pathogenesis is unknown, but cumulative evidence indicates fibromyalgia is associated with alterations in brain surface wave frequencies as well as increases in oxidative stress and BDNF levels.
Aim
This study investigated the effects of brainwave entrainment (BWE) vs. music therapy for managing fibromyalgia in women.
Methods
Eighty-four female patients with fibromyalgia were randomly assigned to two groups, namely music therapy (n = 42) or BWE administered using a BrainTap headset (n = 42). The music therapy and BWE groups were treated for 20 minutes daily, five times a week, over eight weeks. Visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, McGill pain questionnaire (MPQ), fibromyalgia impact questionnaire (FIQ), and SF-36 quality of life questionnaire were applied at baseline, during the treatment, and post-intervention with a six-month follow- up. Biochemical analyses were performed at baseline and at the conclusion of the treatment. Data were evaluated using one- or two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by the Student-Newman-Keuls or Bonferroni test.
Results
BWE reduced VAS scores (Fig. 1) compared to the musicotherapy group. Moreover, BWE improved parameters related to quality of life (Fig. 2, 3 and 4) and oxidative stress and reduced BDNF levels (Fig. 5) in patients with fibromyalgia, an effect also observed with musicotherapy.
Conclusion
BWE delivered through the BrainTap headset has the potential to alleviate pain and improve the quality of life in women with fibromyalgia. This effect appears to be related to oxidative stress and BDNF levels reduction.
Trial Registration: RBR-67c7n8g
Figures
Figure 1 – Visual analogue Scale (VAS) to evaluate PAIN.
Figure 2 – McGill Pain questionnaire.
Figure 3 – Fibromyalgia impact questionnaire (FIQ).
Figure 4 – SF-36 questionnaire scores.
Figure 5 – Biochemical analysis.
Study #18 – Conducted in the Laboratory of Experimental Neurosciences (LaNEX) at the University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNISUL), Brazil. Presented at the 2nd world Congress Integrative Medicine and Health in Rome at the Workshop Integration of Brainwave Entrainment and Electroacupuncture: Effects on Frontal Cortex Hemodynamics and Autonomic Balance (September 21 of 2023).
