Study of the Effects of HIRREM-SOP for Insomnia

Overview

Prior research studies have shown benefit for use of a technique called High-resolution, relational, resonance-based, electroencephalic mirroring (HIRREM®), to reduce symptoms of moderate to severe insomnia. HIRREM uses scalp sensors to monitor brain electrical activity, and software algorithms translate selected brain frequencies into audible tones in real time. Those tones (acoustic stimulation) are reflected back to participants via ear buds in as little as four milliseconds, providing the brain an opportunity to self-adjust and balance its electrical pattern. The purpose of this research study is to determine the effects of HIRREM-SOP, an updated version of this technology that is based on the HIRREM approach, but now includes new hardware and software, a standardized series of HIRREM protocols, and a fixed number of sessions. Adults over the age of 18 who have documented sleep trouble that place them in the category of subthreshold (mild), moderate, or severe clinical insomnia as defined by the Insomnia Severity Index, are eligible to participate in the study.

High-resolution, relational, resonance-based, electroencephalic mirroring (HIRREM®) is a closed-loop, allostatic, acoustic stimulation neurotechnology that uses software-guided algorithmic analysis to identify and translate selected brain frequencies into audible tones to support real-time self-optimization of brain activity. Prior research demonstrates that the use of HIRREM is associated with reduced symptoms of insomnia, and traumatic stress and anxiety, and improved autonomic cardiovascular regulation across heterogeneous cohorts. HIRREM has been safe and well tolerated in about 500 people across six IRB-approved studies. However, the current in-office HIRREM approach remains very operator dependent (extensive Technologist education and experience) and takes a sizeable time commitment from the participant (typically ten or more sessions of 90-120 minutes each). To reduce participant time required, and operator dependence, while increasing scalability, a new generation of hardware and software has been developed. While based on the same core technology and algorithms to mirror brainwaves with audible tones, this includes the use of faster, 64-bit processing architecture for faster feedback, the use of 4 sensors, and the use of standard protocols, all done with eyes closed (HIRREM-SOP). Although only 2 sensors are active at a time, applying 4 sensors, for which the software can switch from one pair to the other automatically, cuts in half the number of sensor placement changes needed, with reduced session time and interruptions. A modified placebo condition now includes random timing and pitch of the tones, which have not been acoustically engineered. This pilot study will evaluate feasibility of this standardized, enhanced approach, and the effectiveness of blinding for the placebo condition in participants with symptoms of insomnia.