Dr. Norman Shealy, Dr. Richard Cox In 'Pain Reduction and
Relaxation with Brain Wave Synchronization (Photo-Stimulation)'.
Study performed by the Forest Institute of Professional
Psychology, Springfield, Missouri, 1990, 9pp:
Cerebral synchronization was obtained with photic stimulation
devices and tested on more than 5,000 patients suffering
from chronic pain and stress-symptoms during the '80s. A
detailed study on 92 patients indicated that 88 obtained
relaxation results higher than 60% after 30-minute sessions
at 10 hz. Thirty patients had sessions in Theta (5 hz) and
experienced relaxation states of 50-100% after five minutes
as well as improved pain relief. Eight patients had blood
tests before and after the sessions and showed improved
beta-endorphin levels of 10-50%. All of these relaxation
results are improved when combining the photic stimulation
with relaxation audio tapes.
D.J. Anderson, B.Sc., M.B., "The Treatment of Migraine
with Variable Frequency Photo-Stimulation," in Headache,
March 1989, pp 154-155:
D.J. Anderson used photo-stimulating goggles with variable
frequency using red LEDs in order to stimulate the optic
nerve, through closed eyes, right and left, with frequencies
between 0.5 and 50 hz. The study included seven patients
who suffered a total of more than 50 migraines during the
observation period. Forty-nine of these migraines were relieved
(either by reducing the average duration or by increasing
the frequency interval in between migraine crisis) and 36
other migraines could be stopped while using the goggles.
Richard E. Townsend, Ph.D. of Neuropsychiatric Research,
U.S. Naval Hospital in San Diego, "A Device for Generation
and Presentation of Modulated Light Stimuli," in Electroencephalography
and Clinical Neurophysiology, 1973, 34, pp 97-99:
The author describes a system allowing generation and presentation
of modulated light stimuli with variable frequencies and
wave forms. He concludes the possibilities of stimulation
and positive responses during sleep-preparation and insomnia
troubles.
Dr. William Harris, Director of the Penwell Foundation,
USA in 1990:
Preliminary studies with audio-visual brain stimulators
used by patients with AIDS indicate that "the devices
are extremely efficient in terms of providing mental clarity,
improved sleeping patterns (for sleep preparation and sleep
duration) allowing for better physical detoxification by
the liver. The apparatus also stimulates immunology functions
through states of deep relaxation."
Dr. Olivier Carreau, Saint-Louis Hospital in Paris, on
"Efficiency of the MindsEye Plus audio-visual stimulator
in treatment of the psoriasis during puvatherapy,"
study completed in January 1991:
Dr. Carreau analyzed 20 patients over a period of five months.
Patients were treated one per week alternately via UVA and
audio-visual stimulation (30-minute sessions) for psychosomatic
skin disorders. All patients experienced deep relaxation
during the sessions and had a feeling of well-being during
the entire day. Five patients claimed that this feeling
lasted for the following 2-3 days. Patients with combined
therapy did better than with puvatherapy alone.
Dr. Roger K. Cady, Dr. Norman Shealy in "Neurochemical
Responses to Cranial Electrical Stimulation and Photo-Stimulation
via Brain Wave Synchronization." Study performed by
the Shealy Institute of Comprehensive Health Care, Springfield,
Missouri, 1990, 11 pp.:
Eleven patients had peridural and blood analysis performed
before and after the relaxation sessions using flash emitting
goggles. An average increase of beta-endorphin levels of
25% and serotonin levels of 21% were registered. The beta-endorphin
levels are comparative to those obtained by cranial electrical
stimulation (CES). This indicates a potential decrease of
depression related symptoms when using photic stimulation.
Dr. Thomas Budzynski in "Biofeedback and the Twilight
States of Consciousness," in G.E. Schwartz and D. Shapiro
eds., Consciousness and Self-Regulation, vol. 1, New York,
Plenum 1976 and non-published studies at the Biofeedback
Institute of Denver, 1980:
Using a first-generation prototype, Dr. Budzynski concluded
that "these devices produce a distinct relaxation state.
Programming the device between 3 and 7 hz, it takes about
10 to 15 minutes for the patients to enter--effortlessly-a
state of hypnosis. They terminate the sessions relaxed and
with a feeling of well-being." Also, "the device
has a calming effect on nervous or anxious patients. In
a majority of cases the patients feel relaxed and calm during
a period of three to four days after the session."
Dr. Norman Thomas and David Siever, University of Alberta,
Florida. Several publications, notably: The Effect of Repetitive
Audio/Visual Stimulation in Skeletomotor and Vasomotor Activity,
1989:
"We stimulated one of two groups of 30 people with
a brain- stimulation device to test relaxation levels, using
10 hz frequency while observing their muscular tension with
an EMG and their index skin temperature. The second group
had to relax without machines via traditional means of autosuggestion.
Most of the people in the second group said they felt relaxed
while demonstrating greater tension (EMG) and lower skin
temperatures, both of which are stress and nervous tension
indicators. The group using the machine obtained deep relaxation
state going beyond the programmed 15 minutes. EMG curves
confirmed relaxation of the cortex due to the frequency
adoption response."
Dr. Robert Cosgrove, Jr. of the anesthesia department of
Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California:
Dr. Cosgrove proceeded in 1988 with multiple experiences
with the same devices and concluded that states of deep
relaxation are obtained with these machines. "We are
very optimistic about the possibilities of calming our patients
before and after surgery. By the way, we already treat chronic
stress affected patients. Thus, our EEG analysis shows that
optimal cerebral functioning can be obtained with regular
use of such audio-visual apparatus. The machines could eventually
slow the decreasing cerebral performance with the elderly.
This type of machine could 'revolutionize neurology and
medicine.'"
Elisabeth Philipos, Pepperdine University, California,
and James McGaugh, University of California, Irvine, have
tested the effects of Theta frequencies on learning:
During their study a group of 20 students learned 1,800
words of Bulgarian in 120 hours while using Theta stimulation
programs. In about 1/3 of normal time they spoke and wrote
the new language.
Dale S. Foster of Memphis State University, "EEG and
Subjective Correlates of Alpha Frequency Binaural Beats
Stimulation Combined with Alpha Biofeedback," 1988:
Mr. Foster's conclusions indicate that the combination of
binaural sounds with audio-visual stimulation machines allow
access into Alpha states of consciousness much faster than
with traditional biofeedback techniques.
Research
