The perspective of using binaural beat auditory stimulation in the treatment of pain

Abstract

Introduction: In the past years there has been observed an evident direction towards making unpharmacological treatment a global priority. The correlation between altered states of consciousness and pain is demonstrated by beneficial influence of oriental techniques where the decrease in pain is obtained through meditation and altered states of consciousness. We have studied possibilities of inducing altered states of consciousness through binaural beat stimulation in therapeutic purpose. The objectives of this study are: analysis of binaural beat stimulation versus placebo; finding responsive persons for inducing altered state of consciousness; analysis of psychological differences between responsive and unresponsive persons for inducing altered state of consciousness; elaboration of criteria for selecting persons suitable to the treatment of pain through binaural beat stimulation. Binaural beats hearing appears when two slightly different and coherent sounds with nearby frequencies are presented to each ear separately. The human mind integrates these two sounds and creates the third sounds, inexistent in reality, called binaural beat. Hearing binaural beats is referred to “central hearing”. Binaural beats were discovered by H. Dove in 1839. R. Monroe has studied it in the 1950’s and founded The Monroe Institute - a modern center for studying the binaural beats effects. Materials and methods: Ten adults with tensional cephalalgia were tested via symptoms check list SCL-90, Dissociative Experience Scale (28), Personality Inventory for DSM-5, Beck depression inventory, State-Trait anxiety inventory Spilberger and Somatoform dissociation questionnaire. Patientslistened to binaural beats in alpha, theta and delta frequencies (1-13Hz) for 30 minutes. Afterwards they have passed the 5-Dimensions of Altered States of Consciousness Rating Scale (5D-ASC). Discussion results: The patients were divided into two groups, those in whom chephalalgia decreased less than 10% (N=2) and those in whom cephalalgia decreased for more than 10% (N=8). In the first group the levels of mental disorders (DSM-5), levels of dissociative experience (DES-28), somatoform reactions, levels of depression, hostility and psychotics (SCL-90) were higher than in the second group (p<0.05). Altered states of consciousness were highly pronounced in the second group. Conclusion: Binaural beat stimulation was more effective than placebo for inducing altered states of consciousness for all 5 scales of 5D-ASC scale. Persons with affective disorders are less sensible to inducing altered state of consciousness. Symptoms check list SCL-90 is the most informative questionnaire for selecting responsive persons according to our study. Inducing altered states of consciousness and using binaural beats for pain treatment is contraindicated in people with mental disorders. Binaural beats are more efficient in pain treatment for persons who are more responsive to inducing altered states of consciousness.