Subjective Improvement of Sleep in Insomnia Patients Treated at a Day Rehabilitation Centre After the Use of EEG Neurofeedback Therapy – a Pilot Study

Abstract

Introduction: Insomnia affects nearly 1/3 of the worldwide population. Electroencephalography neurofeedback (EEG-NFB) is one of the methods used in applied psychophysiology, which can improve nightly sleep scheme. Research objective: The aim of this pilot study was to assess the relative effect of a 20-day neurorehabilitation intervention based on EEG-NFB therapy in insomnia patients treated at a day rehabilitation centre. Materials and methods: Seventy-four patients with insomnia: 28 women (mean age ± SD: 67.9 ± 8.84 years, range: 42–83 years) and 46 men (mean age ± SD: 63.0 ± 9.24 years, range: 42-80 years) were subjected to the EEG-NFB training-neurorehabilitation using the C4 protocol: sensorimotor rhythm (SMR) (12-15 Hz)/theta (4-7 Hz). The individual everyday EEG-NFB training consisted of 20, 30-minute sessions. Before and after the training, the data was collected from 12-electrode quantitative EEG (QEEG) tests. In addition, several standardised psychological questionnaires were performed: Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Results: The EEG-NFB therapy reduced anxiety (7.39 ± 1.0 vs. 6.12 ± 0.88 in STAI, p< 0.001) and improved patients' mood (17.6 ± 3.9 vs. 14.65 ± 3.39 in BDI, p< 0.001). During the PSQI test, the time of falling asleep and number of night awakenings were statistically reduced (both p<0.001). However, there was no significant difference in the -SMR amplitude between pre- to post-treatment (9.15 ± 3.11 and 8.62 ± 2.82, respectively, p=0.095). Conclusions: Due to the subjective improvement of sleep quality, without statistically significant changes in the electrophysiological record (expressed by SMR amplitude), it is advisable to continue research with the use of EEG-NFB therapy.