By: Charles H. Tegeler*, Catherine L. Tegeler, Jared F. Cook, Sung W. Lee, Lee Gerdes, Hossam A. Shaltout, Christopher M. Miles and Sean L. Simpson. Sports Medicine - Open (2016) 2:39
Athletes are at risk to suffering brain injuries, more specifically concussions. Concussions are usually associated with symptoms that come after the injury occurs. These include physical, cognitive, and emotional symptoms. Ideal treatments for concussions are still unknown. One possible treatment method could be the improved support of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). Studies have been shown that mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI) are associated with lower heart rate variability(HRV). Individuals with TBI have also been seen to have tachycardia, hypertension, tachypnea, and diaphoresis. Aim of this study was to evaluate the potential role of high-resolution, relational, resonance-based electroencephalic mirroring (HIRREM), a noninvasive, closed-loop, acoustic stimulation neurotechnology, as a means to support symptom reduction, improved autonomic function, and return to play among athletes with post-concussion symptoms (PPCS). HIRREM studies the brains electrical activity and appies algorithms to analyze oscillatory patterns.
Hypothesis was that the use of HIRREM by athletes with PPS would be associated with reduction in self reported symptom scores, improved autonomic cardiovascular regulation, and improved reaction testing.
16 athletes with PPC were used in this study and went through the different treatments with HIRREM. An initial screening is done and symptoms are reported by the students. They go through an initial HIRREM baseline assessment to scan for patterns and frequencies. Additional HIRREM sessions lasted for a mean of 29.6 days (SD 23.2). Symptoms were reported using the post-concussion symptoms questionnaire (RPQ), which is a 16 item survey that asses severity of concussions. Also used to assess the patients was the Insomnia Severity Index as well as the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Blood pressure and heart rate was recorded pre-HIRREM and post HIRREM. Lastly, reaction testing was done to 7 participants that involved the drop-stick apparatus pre HIRREM and post HIRREM.
The results showed that total scores for all 3 self report measures and 14 of 16 individual items of the RPQ showed statistical improvements following HIRREM treatment. All measures of autonomic cardiovascular regulation increased. Distance on drop-stick reaction testing improved from 23.8cm to 19.8 following HIRREM. Following HIRREM, 15 students were able to return to full exercise and 10 were able to return to their sport.
We have seen that HIRREM is extremely effective in the treatment of athletes with post concussion symptoms. One thing that I did notice was that there was no control group. I am guessing this was intentional due to the fact that concussions need to be treated somehow. The study mentioned a worry about a placebo effect, due to the fact that the exposure of the study will cause a placebo response by the student athletes. This very well may be true. The study did lead to improved symptoms and improved autonomic cardiovascular regulation after the treatment of HIRREM.
-Tsetse Fly
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