BACKGROUND: Fibromyalgia is a syndrome characterized by chronic, widespread pain. Its pathogenesis is not well-defined, but cumulative evidence indicates fibromyalgia is associated with alterations in brain surface wave frequencies.
OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the effects of brainwave entrainment (BWE) vs. music therapy for managing fibromyalgia in women.
METHODS: Eighty-four female patients with fibromyalgia were randomly assigned to two groups, namely music therapy (n = 42) or BWE administered using a BrainTap headset (n = 42). The music therapy and BWE groups were treated for 20 minutes daily, five times a week, over eight weeks. Visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, McGill pain questionnaire (MPQ), fibromyalgia impact questionnaire (FIQ), and SF-36 quality of life questionnaire were applied at baseline, during the treatment, and post-intervention with a six-month follow-up. Biochemical analyses and the Hamilton Depression and Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A and HAM-D) were performed at baseline and at the conclusion of the treatment.
RESULTS: BWE group reduced pain (p = 0.0001) as measured by the VAS and MPQ in the PRI total score and anxiety (p = 0.006). Furthermore, BWE improved parameters related to quality of life (BWE p = 0.002 vs MT p = 0.035), depression (BWE p = 0.0001 vs MT p = 0.006), and oxidative stress, and reduced BDNF (BWE p = 0.049 vs MT p = 0.030) levels in patients with fibromyalgia, an effect also observed with music therapy.
CONCLUSIONS: BWE delivered through the BrainTap headset has the potential to alleviate pain and improve the quality of life in women with fibromyalgia. This effect appears to be related to oxidative stress and BDNF levels reduction.
| Discipline Area | Score |
|---|---|
| Physician |  |
Physician rater
Use of BrainTap headset brain stimulation reduces aspects of fibromyalgia symptoms compared to listening to music for the same duration. May be helpful in treating a difficult and poorly understood condition.
Physician rater
In fibromyalgia, it remains to be established whether the incremental benefit of brainwave entrainment over music therapy justifies its greater technical complexity.
Physician rater
While an interesting question, this is not a double-blind study (as claimed), and the interventions are not readily or widely used or available, nor is the population of individuals with the funds to attend these clinics clearly representative. A somewhat interesting set of outcomes to explore further, but too narrow a study to be of wider use.
, McMaster University