Sleep

Neurofeedback for sleep disorders - gentle, effective, scientifically sound

Who is Neuroflex suitable for?
People who have difficulty falling asleep or sleeping through the night, who brood at night and are exhausted during the day – and are looking for a natural, drug-free solution. For parents whose children have sleep problems and for adults with stress-related sleep disorders.

Do you know that?
Do you lie awake even though you are tired? Your child can’t settle down in the evening? Thoughts are going round in circles, the day was too much, the next one is just around the corner? Neurofeedback can help to improve sleep in the long term – without medication.

What is neurofeedback?
Neurofeedback is a computer-assisted training program that helps you get back into your natural sleep rhythm. Targeted feedback is used to learn how to regulate inner restlessness and achieve a state of relaxation – a prerequisite for restful sleep.

Does this help with sleep problems?
Yes, studies show that neurofeedback is effective for problems falling asleep and staying asleep – both in children and adults. Specific brain wave patterns associated with sleep problems can be specifically trained and improved.

When will I notice something?
Many people experience their first aha moment during the initial phase. Nights become calmer, falling asleep is easier and recovery improves. Many people report that they wake up more rested in the morning and experience more energy and serenity during the day.

What makes Neuroflex special?
At Schlaf, we work with the evidence-based Hödlmoser protocol, which is specifically designed to improve sleep quality. Our mobile solution makes training possible in the comfort of your familiar surroundings – exactly where good sleep should take place.

Course of the training

Start - initial consultation, trial training, qEEG

The process begins with a discussion to clarify the goals. This is followed by an anamnesis with qualitative EEG measurement (qEEG). An individual training protocol is created on this basis.

Phase 1 - Initial phase

The first 15 training sessions are used to test whether neurofeedback has measurable effects. The brainwave changes are statistically evaluated. With daily training, this phase is often completed after two to three weeks.

Phase 2 - Deepening phase

If there is clear evidence of effectiveness, the learning process is intensified in a targeted manner. This phase usually lasts 6-9 months - depending on the individual learning curve and neuroplasticity. The aim is to stabilize the desired brain activity patterns.

Phase 3 - Transfer phase

To ensure that the successes remain noticeable in everyday life, transfer exercises and coaching videos support the sustainable anchoring of the effects - for healthy sleep that lasts.

Studies on neurofeedback for sleep disorders

There are also an increasing number of scientific studies investigating the use of neurofeedback (NF) in the area of sleep – particularly for sleep onset and sleep-through disorders. The focus is often on improving sleep-related EEG patterns (e.g. increased alpha activity during wakefulness, dysregulation of slow-wave activity). The following is an overview and selected studies:

Overview and central questions

Aim: To use NF to specifically regulate those brain activity patterns that are associated with disturbed sleep (e.g. excessive arousal or insufficient sleep spindle activity).

Basic assumption: Improved self-regulation can increase the quality of sleep, make it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep and improve the restfulness of the night.

Variety of protocols: SMR training (Sonsomotor Rhythm), theta-down protocols and frequency-specific protocols to promote sleep-promoting patterns are used.

Main results and trends

Improving sleep quality: Many studies show that neurofeedback can lead to better sleep conditions, deeper sleep and increased recovery.

Sustainability: Initial indications suggest that effects can last for several weeks to months, although long-term studies are still rare.
SMR training in focus: The promotion of SMR (12-15 Hz) in particular is considered promising, as this frequency is associated with motor calmness and inner stability.

Need for research: Despite positive results, large-scale randomized studies with long follow-up and placebo control are still lacking.

Important studies and reviews

Hödlmoser et al. (2008). Improvement of sleep quality after SMR neurofeedback training in patients with insomnia.

Journal: Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, 33(1), 1-10
Content: Investigation of SMR training in people with sleep disorders.
Result: Significant improvement in sleep quality and sleep onset latency, as well as objective changes in the EEG pattern (e.g. increase in SMR activity).

Cortoos et al. (2010). The use of neurofeedback in the treatment of sleep disorders.

Journal: Sleep Medicine Reviews, 14(6), 485-492
Content: Review of various NF protocols for sleep disorders.
Result: SMR training in particular shows consistently positive effects on insomnia. The study situation is encouraging, but there is a lack of larger controlled studies.

Schabus et al. (2017). Better sleep with neurofeedback: a randomized controlled trial.

Journal: Sleep, 40(9)
Content: Placebo-controlled study with healthy volunteers who received SMR training.
Result: Significant improvement in subjective sleep quality and changes in the EEG during sleep.

Arns et al. (2013). Neurofeedback in insomnia: A pilot study of a randomized placebo-controlled trial.

Journal: Journal of Sleep Research, 22(4), 348-355
Content: Pilot study comparing real and sham NF in insomnia.
Result: Positive effects of real NF, especially in terms of time to fall asleep and subjective sleep quality.

Do you have any questions? I am here for you.

Wolfgang Maier

MA in Special Education HfH
MAS in Neuropsychology UZH

Wolfgang Maier

MA in Special Education HfH
MAS in Neuropsychology UZH

Areas of application of neurofeedback

Conclusion

The studies on neurofeedback for sleep disorders show a promising development:

Evidence of improved sleep quality, often accompanied by EEG changes (e.g. increase in SMR activity).
At the same time, there is a need for larger, methodologically high-quality studies in order to make robust statements about efficacy, mechanisms of action and optimal protocols.

Neurofeedback can be used as a complementary method for sleep problems – especially for people who are looking for a drug-free alternative or who experience sleep disorders in connection with stress.