INTRODUCTION Binaural Beat Technology (BBT), also known as Brain Entrainment Technology, is a sound technology where two slightly different tones (often embedded in music) are presented to each ear and the brain produces a third tone. This third tone impacts the reticular activating system which alters the electrical potentials of the thalamus and cerebral cortex in turn changing the brainwave frequency to alter the state of consciousness of the listener.
RESULTS
CONCLUSION
Demographics
Service members who used music with BBT exhibited less CV signs of chronic stress exposure when compared to those who did not. Also, those who used music with BBT stated that they felt less stressed over the course of the 4 weeks when compared to those who did not use the technology.
A 2x2 mixed ANOVA was conducted and found a significant difference (F[1, 63]=7.56, p=.008 [η2=.107]) in Low Frequency measures whereas the Music with BBT group decreased while the Music Only group increased (Pre=77.83, Post=75.33 vs Pre=66.42, Post=74.41). A significant difference was also found in High Frequency measures (F[1, 63]=7.56, p=.008 [η2=.107]) whereas the Music with BBT group increased while the Music Only group decreased (Pre=22.17, Post=24.67 vs Pre=33.58, Post=25.94).
PURPOSE The purpose of this double-blinded randomized controlled study was to assess the efficacy of BBT (in the theta brainwave frequency) on stress related cardiovascular (CV) measures in a population of service members with complaint of chronic stress after deployment.
Finally, the Music Only group significantly decreased (F[1, 57]=4.39, p=.041 [η2 = .072]) in Total Power measures compared to the Music with BBT group (Pre=2098.90; Post=985.26 vs Pre=1249.75; Post=1223.07
This sound technology has shown that it can indeed produce a desired physiologic effect. If the theta brainwave frequency tone was able to produce a calming affect, it is possible that the delta brainwave frequency could help improve sleep quality and the beta brainwave frequency tone could improve focus.
NURSING IMPLICATION BBT does not require a doctor’s order nor does it need to be administered by an advance practice provider. This low cost, portable, user friendly, and easily accessible intervention can be an independent nurse initiated action at the bedside, in an outpatient setting, or in a deployed environment.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
PROCEDURE A sample of 74 United States military service members were randomly placed into two groups (music with BBT and music without BBT). Each group was exposed to their respective intervention for at least 30 minutes at bedtime, 3 times a week, for a total of 4 weeks.
This research study was sponsored by the TriService Nursing Research Program, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (Grant #HT9404-12-1-TS09 [N12-P06]).
HRV Low Frequency
To test the effect of the technology, participants underwent 20minute pre- and post-intervention heart rate variability (HRV) stress tests to note if there were changes in their CV response to a stressor.
HRV High Frequency
HRV Total Power Frequency
The information, content and conclusions do not necessarily represent the official position or policy of, nor should any official endorsement be inferred by, the TriService Nursing Research Program, the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. Government. References are available upon request
LTC MeLisa Gantt
[email protected] (49) 6371-9464-4911 (Germany)
