Neurobiofeedback(sm) Training for Sleep Disorders

There ain't no way to find out why a snorer can't hear himself snore." - Mark Twain, Tom Sawyer Abroad

Clinical evidence now exists for the alleviation of a variety of sleep disorders with Neurobiofeedback(sm) training, including those sleep problems which may be attributed to neurological immaturity of childhood, or correlated with attentional problems: bedwetting, sleep walking and talking, night terrors, anxiety-related difficulties falling asleep, and insomnia. Among adult sleep disorders, promising evidence exists for alleviation of insomnia and sleep apnea.

Many of the conditions helped with Neurobiofeedback(sm) are correlated with disorders of sleep. This includes epilepsy, anxiety and depression, traumatic brain injury, hyperactivity and attention deficit disorder, chronic pain, and Tourette Syndrome. Even when poor sleep is not the cause for referral for Neurobiofeedback(sm), it is often mentioned as a problem during the intake interview. The first reported signs of change upon initiating brainwave training often relate to the quality of sleep. We believe that the principal mechanism of efficacy of brainwave training is that it normalizes self-regulation of physiological arousal, and the beneficial effects of the training on sleep can be explained in the same manner. When self-regulation is deficient, this should be apparent when arousal level is least tightly regulated, i.e. during sleep in general, and during transitions between sleep stages in particular. Basically, Neurobiofeedback(sm) has shown time and time again to be very effective in helping one get a solid nights sleep. With this improved quality of sleep, you will simply feel better.

There is an intimate connection of insomnia with disorders of arousal such as anxiety and depression. The success of Neurobiofeedback(sm) training in effecting improved self-regulation of arousal should, therefore, be expected to result in improved regulation of sleep in these cases, and that is what we observe.

Sleep apnea is generally thought to consist of a central, neurological component, and a somatic, obstructive component, the latter due to the fact that the condition closely correlates with obesity. Obstructive sleep apnea has historically been treated surgically, with rather poor outcomes, so that surgery is now gradually being abandoned in favor of a breathing aid device which provides continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). Neurobiofeedback(sm) training has been successful in fully remediating apnea episodes in adult males, even in the absence of any other behavioral changes such as weight loss. The condition is seen as arising from cortical underarousal.

NOTE: This section is not complete and will be more comprehensive in the near future. However, in the mean time, please feel free to contact us for more information. We also welcome your comments and/or suggestions for additional links and information that may be helpful in making this section better.

The treatment of psychophysiologic insomnia with biofeedback: a replication study.
Hauri PJ, Percy L, Hellekson C, Hartmann E, Russ D  Biofeedback & Self-Regulation 7 (2): 223-235 (Jun 1982)

Treating psychophysiologic insomnia with biofeedback.
Hauri P  Arch Gen Psychiatry 38 (7): 752-758 (Jul 1981)

Sleep Medicine SleepNet Med Help Intl: Sleep Disorders A.W.A.K.E - NY Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome Phantom Sleep Page Sleep Disorders Sleep Medicine Home Page

Gunter's Sleep Disorder Homepage Sleep Medicine Page Sleepnet: Everything you want to know about sleep but are too tired to ask The SleepNet's Links to other sites Sleep Well Topic in Primary Care - Insomnia The Treatment of Sleep Disorders of Older People

[ Newsgroup ] alt.support.sleep-disorder- Discussion of Sleep Disorders & Problem Sleeping