Entries categorized as Insomnia

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Improves Sleep And Lives Of Patients With Pain

On February 11, 2010 / By Chris Fisher / In Psychotherapy / No Comments

man_asleep_on_bedCognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for insomnia significantly improved sleep for patients with chronic neck or back pain and also reduced the extent to which pain interfered with their daily functioning, according to a study by University of Rochester Medical Center researchers. The study, published online by the journal Sleep Medicine, demonstrates that a behavioral intervention can help patients who already are taking medications for pain and might be reluctant or unable to take additional drugs to treat sleep disturbance. (continue reading)

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Losing Sleep, Losing Brain?

On February 5, 2010 / By Chris Fisher / In Sleep / No Comments

Chronic and severely stressful situations, like those connected to depression and posttraumatic stress disorder, have been associated with smaller volumes in “stress sensitive” brain regions, such as the cingulate region of the cerebral cortex and the hippocampus, a brain region involved in memory formation. A new study, published by Elsevier in Biological Psychiatry, suggests that chronic insomnia may be another condition associated with reduced cortical volume. (continue reading)

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Eric Newhouse’s Crusade To Improve Veterans’ Access To Much Needed PTSD And TBI Treatments, Including Neurofeedback And CES

On December 10, 2009 / By Chris Fisher / In CES, Featured, Neurofeedback / No Comments

faces_of_combat_coverPulitzer Prize winning journalist Eric Newhouse illuminates the dire circumstances that veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI) frequently encounter in his book, “Faces of Combat, PTSD and TBI: One Journalist’s Crusade to Improve Treatment for Our Veterans.” The Behavioral Medicine Report obtained the publisher’s permission to post Chapter 19 where Newhouse discusses the effectiveness of neurofeedback and cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES) and the Veterans Administration’s (VA) refusal to support these treatments. This story also includes interviews with Siegfried and Susan Othmer. (more…)

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The Scientist Research News Update 10-19-09

On October 19, 2009 / By Chris Fisher / In News / No Comments

newspaper_genericThe Scientist Research News Update series was created to give our readers a sample of ongoing genetics and hardcore science research and trends, and today’s 10-19-09 update certainly fills the bill. Read on to find out more about how late nights and irregular sleep might contribute to the onset of Alzheimer’s, researchers translate complex genetic processes into music, small amounts of stress may actually prevent cancer, DHEA may play a role in superior performance under stress, and bacterium that infects mosquitoes and other insects may stunt the spread of devastating human diseases in future medicine. Also check out new research that suggests a possible viral cause of chronic fatigue and prostate cancer, which will not surprise those who read the article, “A Novel and Potentially Groundbreaking Viral Theory of Autism and Schizophrenia.” (more…)

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Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index – An Excellent Free Psychological Screening Instrument For Sleep Disturbance

On October 4, 2009 / By Chris Fisher / In Psychological Assessment / No Comments

PSQIThe excellent response to BMED Report’s recent review of The Big Five Inventory came as a pleasant surprise. In light of the intense reader interest, other quality psychological assessment/screening instruments that are freely available will receive occasional reviews heretofore. Healthcare practitioners, like most everyone, look for ways to save money yet to maintain the highest quality service in today’s challenging marketplace. And the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) fills this role quite nicely. Check the end of this review for links to download the PSQI and its scoring program. (more…)

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Current Directions, Future Challenges, And New Thinking In Comorbid Insomnia

On October 2, 2009 / By Chris Fisher / In Sleep / No Comments

yawn-im_sleepyThe American Journal Of Managed Care made available (for free) two excellent articles on co-morbid insomnia. “Comorbid Insomnia: Current Directions and Future Challenges” provides an excellent background and overview of this complicated sleep disorder, while “Current and New Thinking in the Management of Comorbid Insomnia” reviews current medications along with a short explanation of behavioral approaches to treatment. Check the end of this review for links to download both articles in PDF format. (more…)

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What is Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation? (Part 2)

On September 30, 2009 / By Chris Fisher / In CES, Featured / No Comments

CES_brain_Pt2In Part 1 of this series, a basic introduction to Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation (CES), also known as Cranial Electrical Stimulation and Cranial Electrostimulation, was given that included a technical overview, typical treatment protocols, and common side effects. Next, Part 2 details CES’ proposed mechanism of action and treatment effectiveness with depression, anxiety, insomnia, and chronic pain, as well as a few closing thoughts. Readers can expect many more future posts on CES and its treatment of various ailments. I anticipate that the first will cover a well-designed CES for mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) study. (more…)

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What Is Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation? (Part 1)

On September 9, 2009 / By Chris Fisher / In CES / No Comments

CES_brain_Pt1Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation (CES), also known as Cranial Electrical Stimulation and Cranial Electrostimulation, falls under the branch of alternative medicine called Electromedicine, which treats physical and psychological conditions with varying levels of electrical current (Kirsch, 2006). CES is the application of a very low level alternating electrical current generated from a 9-volt battery to the brain via clips placed on the ears. In this review, I focus on a particular brand of CES: Alpha-Stim. I do not intend to advocate one brand over another; however, I select Alpha-Stim because I have been trained and conducted research at the doctoral level with this device, as well as received continuing education training specific to this brand. Additionally, Alpha-Stim has a great deal of published research available for discussion and analysis. (more…)

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Neurofeedback Significantly Improves Sleep In A Small Group Of Insomniacs

On August 15, 2009 / By Chris Fisher / In Neurofeedback, Sleep / No Comments

girl_asleepIn an unpublished study* (in press), researchers report that home-based neurofeedback training (“tele-neurofeedback”) leads to significant improvements in sleep for participants with insomnia. A electromyography (EMG) biofeedback group (“tele-biofeedback”) was used as a comparison group. Seventeen participants were randomly assigned to a neurofeedback (n=9) or biofeedback condition (n=8), and 12 control subjects (i.e., healthy sleepers) were used to compare baselines measures. The researchers used a novel and brilliant design whereby each group (neurofeedback and biofeedback) received the exact same electrode set up and training screen at each session, but, of course, the electrodes measured different variables (EEG vs. EMG). This allowed for participants to be blinded to their condition. (more…)

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Science Daily Research News Update 7-29-09

On July 29, 2009 / By Chris Fisher / In News / No Comments

newspaper_generic This Science Daily Research Update is long overdue so let us jump right into the details. Today’s update highlights new and interesting research, such as the relationship of weight loss and vitamin D, several new studies on pregnancy (low birth weight, flu, and depression), the genetic link among anxiety, depression, and insomnia, REM Sleep and creative problem solving, napping may help childhood hyperactivity, depression, and anxiety, and CBT and teen depression. Also take a look at the research article the show the first images of a memory being formed and controlling a wheelchair with brainwaves. (more…)

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Science Daily Research News Update 06-23-09

On June 23, 2009 / By Chris Fisher / In News / No Comments

newspaper_genericThe current Science Daily Research News Update brings a wide variety of interesting new research that covers brain waves and attention, re-conceptualization of migraine headaches, HIV and marijuana, daily drinking that leads to binge drinking, healthy living on the decline in the U.S., sneaky viruses, how the brain processes speech, smoking cessation and teens, a new approaches that could eradicate HIV/AIDS, and interesting links between bankruptcy and medical difficulties – to name a few. (more…)

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Blue Cross Blue Shield Continues To Block Coverage for Biofeedback and Neurofeedback

On May 14, 2009 / By Chris Fisher / In Neurofeedback, News / No Comments

newspaperI obtained a copy of a recent Position Statement from Blue Cross/Blue Shield that pertains to biofeedback and neurofeedback from a professional online neurofeedback user group. Unfortunately, Blue Cross/Blue Shield still considers neurofeedback “Investigational and Not Medically Necessary” for all conditions. It appears that Blue Cross/Blue Shield failed to include vital studies, some reviewed on this website, such as Gevensleben et al.’s (2009) ADHD research, Kouijzer et al.’s (2009) Autism research, and Hoedlmoser et al.’s (2008) sleep and memory research. A copy of the entire Position Statement is posted at the end of this report. (more…)

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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Improves Sleep In Those Diagnosed With Chronic Primary Insomnia

On May 13, 2009 / By Chris Fisher / In Sleep / No Comments

insomniaApproximately 5% of persons in the United States suffer from primary persistent insomnia and many are prescribed sedative hypnotics or antidepressant medications. However, prescription medication can also cause side effects or create dependence, and published data on their efficacy for sleep disorders is limited*. Additionally, poor sleep may return once the medication intake stops*. The current study* investigated Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for chronic primary insomnia. CBT is a psychological treatment that facilitates change in how one thinks, feels, and acts through various talk therapy and behavioral strategies and techniques. (more…)

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SMR Neurofeeback Improves Sleep and Memory After Only 10 Sessions

On March 26, 2009 / By Chris Fisher / In Neurofeedback, Sleep / No Comments

guy_taking_nap Researchers* report that participants’ sleep and declarative memory improved after they received 10 sessions of human sensorimotor rhythm (SMR) neurofeedback in a randomized parallel group design. SMR is an EEG frequency band from 12-15 Hz that is associated with an alert, attentive state coupled with calm or silent motor activities. The cat who remains completely still, yet focused the moment before he nabs a mouse makes for a good analogy. The researchers created an ingenious study design to overcome a common criticism of neurofeedback research where both groups (experimental and control groups) do not receive exact same conditions (except for the actual treatment). This study design is described in more detail below. (more…)

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