Auditory beat stimulation and behavioural variant of frontotemporal dementia: a case study

Abstract

AbstractA growing number of studies suggest that auditory beat stimulation may be helpful in providing relief from symptoms of anxiety. However, evidence for this effect in clinical populations remains sparse. In this case study, we examined the effects of theta frequency monaural beat stimulation on anxiety levels and mind wandering of four patients diagnosed with behavioural variant of frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD). Over the period of a fortnight, consisting of two one-week blocks, patients were exposed daily to monaural beats at 8Hz and a pure tone control condition, in a randomized order. To assess levels of anxiety, mind wandering and measures of general well-being, patients completed the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory, and Mind Wandering Questionnaire at the beginning and end of each week, as well as the Rogers’ Happy/ Sad Face Scale, before and after each stimulation. The latter consisted of subscales for anxiety, mood and pain. Scores from the questionnaires and scales pertaining to anxiety, depression and well-being indicated mixed effects of the monaural beat stimulation. A trend towards an overall decrease in mind wandering was observed across the four patients for the monaural beat stimulation condition, when compared to the control tone. These data suggest that such adjunct approaches to current therapies for anxiety are indeed possible, in patient populations.