Customer studies and scientific research have examined the effects of Neurosonic technology on, among other things, sleep quality, recovery and the relief of stress.
A pilot study conducted at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, examined the effects of Neurosonic low-frequency treatment on patients with primary insomnia suffering from poor sleep quality.
Study details
- Publication type
- Master’s thesis
- Institution
- University of Helsinki, Faculty of Medicine
- Authors
- Tuomi J., Kuurne-Koivisto M. and Partinen M.
- Original title
- The effects of Whole-Body Vibration therapy on patients with primary insomnia
- Year of completion
- 2016
- Link
- urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:hulib-201601201046
Abstract
Background
Treatment of chronic insomnia is challenging, and alternatives to drug therapy are being sought. The aim of the study was to examine the effects of the Neurosonic low-frequency therapy chair on patients with primary insomnia. The therapy is based on Whole-Body Vibration (WBV).
Methods
This pilot study included 16 adults (12 men and 4 women, aged 28 to 65) who suffered from insomnia with an Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) score of at least 15. Participants were randomised into a control group and an intervention group (8 + 8). Both groups received WBV treatment five times. At the start of the study, the control group had a three-week period during which they did not receive treatment.
Measurements were taken using actigraphy, the SCL-90, WHO-5, PSQI, ISI and EQ-5D questionnaires, and a structured sleep questionnaire based on the Basic Nordic Sleep Questionnaire.
Results
After treatment, ISI scores decreased in both groups. WHO-5 and EQ-5D VAS scores also improved after treatment. In addition, treatment lowered SCL-90 scores related to anxiety, obsessive-compulsive and somatisation symptoms.
Conclusions
The results indicate that WBV treatment has beneficial effects for people suffering from primary insomnia. WBV treatment also appears to relieve anxiety. No major adverse effects were detected.
WBV treatment may be useful, for example, in the treatment of insomnia in situations where pharmacological treatment is insufficient. Further studies are needed to gain more information about the usefulness of WBV-based therapy in the treatment of insomnia.
Keywords
- Anxiety
- Actigraphy
- Insomnia
- Primary insomnia
- Relaxation therapy
- Whole-body vibration
