The effects of audiovisual brainwave entrainment on pain, power of brainwaves and quality of life of patients with Fibromyalgia: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
The study was conducted at the Physiotherapy School Clinic and the Medical Specialty Clinic (AMEI) of the University of Southern Santa Catarina, Pedra Branca campus, Florianopolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil.
Sample
Patients residing in the Greater Florianópolis region aged between 18 and 80 years, diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and undergoing pharmacological treatment prescribed by their attending physician.
Intervention
The intervention consisted of 8 weeks:
– 24 20-minute sessions of Audiovisual Brainwave Entrainment with alpha waves (with the Braintap Headset), and
– 16 20-minute sessions of Auditory Brainwave Entrainment with theta waves using headphones at home (with the Braintap APP).
Results
• Decrease in pain (Visual Analogue Scale) (Fig. 1)
• Decrease in Emotional Limitations (Fig. 2)
• Increased Alpha activity in AF3 and AF4 EEG – roughly located at the upper forehead and represent the left and right prefrontal cortex, respectively (Fig. 3)
Please note that the pharmacological intervention is effective, although the association of Brainwave Entrainment significantly increases the effects.
Figures
Figure 1 – Visual analogue Scale (VAS) to evaluate PAIN.
Figure 2 – Emotional Limitations. The higher the number the lesser emotional limitation.
Figure 3 – Alpha activity in AF3 and AF4 EEG.
Study #15 – PhD Thesis, conducted at the Federal University of Santa Catarina SC, Brazil.
