Effects of acoustic neurostimulation in healthy adults on symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress and sleep quality: a randomized clinical study

Aim: To evaluate the application of an acoustic neurostimulation program with binaural beats and isochronic tones isolated or in association, and its effects on sleep, depression, anxiety, and stress in healthy workers. Methods: A randomized, single-blind, parallel-group clinical trial, using acoustic neurostimulation with binaural beats, isochronic tones, or a combination of these in the 10 Hz range (alpha) performed with daily 20-minute sessions for 21 days. Changes in brainwave patterns were assessed by electroencephalogram (EEG). Psycho-emotional state was assessed with the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale 21 Items (DASS-21), and sleep quality with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). In addition, salivary cortisol levels were evaluated as a biomarker of stress. Results: The data revealed distinct patterns of brainwave modulation via brainwave entrainment (BWE) techniques. Binaural beats and isochronic tones, alone and in combination, effectively increased alpha brainwaves in the temporoparietal region. However, when assessing theta brainwave frequencies in the same region, only binaural beats showed a significant effect. Furthermore, in the prefrontal cortex, an elevation in beta waves was exclusively observed with the use of binaural beats. These findings underscore the specificity of BWE techniques on different brainwave frequencies and regions. The study demonstrated marked improvements in several symptoms related to stress, depression, anxiety, assessed by psychometry with DASS-21 and related to sleep quality assessed by the PSQI. Conclusions: These results indicate that 10 Hz acoustic neurostimulation in the alpha range, whether through binaural beats, isochronic tones, or a combination of both, can significantly influence brainwave patterns and intensity. Notably, participants exhibited decrease in symptoms of stress, depression, and anxiety, coupled with improved sleep quality. These data suggest that alpha acoustic neurostimulation holds promise as an effective intervention for bolstering mood, mental health, and overall emotional well-being [Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry (ReBec, ensaiosclinicos.gov.br) identifier: RBR-10yj42dj]

Effects of far-infrared emitting ceramic materials on recovery during 2-week preseason of elite futsal players

We investigated the effects of far-infrared emitting ceramic materials (cFIR) during overnight sleep on neuromuscular, biochemical and perceptual markers in futsal players. Twenty athletes performed a 2-week preseason training program and during sleep wore bioceramic (BIO; n = 10) or placebo pants (PL; n = 10). Performance (countermovement jump [CMJ]; squat jump [SJ]; sprints 5, 10, and 15-m) and biochemical markers (tumor necrosis factor alpha-TNF-α, interleukin 10-IL-10, thiobarbituric acid–reactive species [TBARS], carbonyl, superoxide dismutase [SOD], catalase [CAT]) were obtained at baseline and after the 1st and 2nd week of training. Delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and training strain were monitored throughout. Changes in ΔCMJ and ΔSJ were possibly (60/36/4 [week-1]) and likely (76/22/2 [week-2]) higher in BIO. Both groups were faster in 5-m sprint in week 2 compared with baseline (p = 0.015), furthermore, BIO was likely faster in 10-m sprint (3/25/72 [week 1]). Significant group × time interaction in %ΔTNF-α were observed (p = 0.024 [week-1]; p = 0.021 [week-2]) with values possibly (53/44/3 [week 1]) and likely (80/19/1 [week 2]) higher in BIO. The %ΔIL-10 decreased across weeks compared with baseline (p = 0.019 [week-1]; p = 0.026 [week-2]), showing values likely higher in BIO (81/16/3 [week-1]; 80/17/3 [week-2]). Significant weekly increases in %ΔTBARS (p = 0.001 [week-1]; p = 0.011 [week-2]) and %ΔCarbonyl (p = 0.002 [week-1]; p < 0.001 [week-2]) were observed compared with baseline, showing likely (91/5/4 [week-1]) and possibly (68/30/2 [week-2]) higher changes in BIO. Significant weekly decreases in %ΔSOD were observed compared with baseline (p = 0.046 [week 1]; p = 0.011 [week-2]), and between week 2 and week 1 (p = 0.021), in addition to significant decreases in %ΔCAT compared with baseline (p = 0.070 [week 1]; p = 0.012 [week 2]). Training strain (p = 0.021; very -likely [0/2/98]; week 1) and DOMS was lower in BIO (likely; 7 sessions) with differences over time (p = 0.001). The results suggest that the daily use of cFIR clothing could facilitate recovery, especially on perceptual markers during the early phases of an intensive training period