A noninvasive neurotechnology, which uses sound to balance right- and left-side brain frequencies was associated with lowered blood pressure, improved heart rate variability, and reduced symptoms of migraine headaches. <\/p>\n
The neurotechnology is called High-resolution, relational, resonance based, electroencephalic mirroring, or HIRREM (Brain State Technologies, Scottsdale, Arizona). <\/p>\n
It uses sensors placed on the scalp to measure brain electrical activity, and detect right\/left imbalances, or hyperarousal. <\/p>\n
Most people have relatively balanced electrical activity between the right side and left sides of the brain, the lead author Shaltout said. <\/p>\n
Imbalance, with one side dominant, or more active, may reflect autonomic dysregulation associated with the effects of chronic stress, which is thought to play a role in high blood pressure, migraines, insomnia, depression, hot flashes and more. <\/p>\n
In real time, HIRREM monitors brain electrical activity and translates dominant brain frequencies into computer-generated audible tones that are reflected back simultaneously via ear buds. <\/p>\n
Gradually, and on its own, with no conscious, cognitive activity required, the electrical pattern tends to shift towards improved balance and reduced hyperarousal, Shaltout said. <\/p>\n
In one study, researchers looked at HIRREMs impact on 10 men and women with stage one hypertension at the start of the study. <\/p>\n
After an average of 17.7 HIRREM sessions received over 10.2 in-office days, hypertensive patients showed an average reduction in their systolic blood pressure, from 152 to 136 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg), and a reduction in their diastolic pressure from 97 to 81 mmHg. <\/p>\n
Insomnia severity improved in the small study group, and anxiety seemed to improve. <\/p>\n
The researchers also found that heart rate variability increased from an average 42 to 57 milliseconds, which is a good thing, Shaltout said. Heart rate variability refers to variations in the interval between heartbeats. <\/p>\n
The more flexibility and dynamic range the body has to be able to change the heart rate in response to the blood pressure, the better, Shaltout said. <\/p>\n
In another study, the researchers examined the effect of HIRREM on 52 adults who had reported they suffered from migraines. The patients studied received 15.9 sessions over nine in-office days. <\/p>\n
Comparing the data they collected before the therapy to two weeks after, researchers found patients reported improvements for insomnia, mood, and headaches. <\/p>\n
These results are the first to suggest that HIRREM could offer cardiovascular as well as behavioral benefits in the treatment of high blood pressure. <\/p>\n
More research is needed to verify these preliminary findings, Shaltout said. <\/p>\n
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News source: AHA. The content is edited for length and style purposes. Figure legend: This Knowridge.com image is for illustrative purposes only. <\/p>\n
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This therapy may balance brain signals to reduce blood pressure, migraines - Knowridge Science Report<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" A noninvasive neurotechnology, which uses sound to balance right- and left-side brain frequencies was associated with lowered blood pressure, improved heart rate variability, and reduced symptoms of migraine headaches. The neurotechnology is called High-resolution, relational, resonance based, electroencephalic mirroring, or HIRREM (Brain State Technologies, Scottsdale, Arizona). Continue reading