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Insomnia is a common sleep disorder that affects many people, significantly impacting their quality of life. Insomnia occurs when an individual experiences difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, waking up too early, or feeling fatigued despite having an adequate amount of sleep. It can be triggered by factors such as stress, excessive worry, chronic pain, or even the sleeping environment.
One treatment option for insomnia is Neurofeedback Therapy, which is available at our centre. This therapy uses quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG) to monitor brain activity in real time, providing feedback on brain function. By using qEEG, we can monitor brain activity patterns that may be linked to stress, anxiety, or other underlying issues that could be contributing to sleep disruptions. The process involves placing electrodes on specific parts of the head, and it is completely painless.
According to Wang et al. (2023), a minimum of 10 sessions is typically required to achieve consistent effects from the treatment. However, many individuals undergo 10 to 30 sessions, or even more, if necessary (Lambert-Beaudet et al., 2021). Wang et al. (2023) emphasized the importance of having a therapist during neurofeedback training for insomnia, as it is challenging to manage this therapy independently without medication. With the guidance of a therapist, patients can experience relaxation after just one or two sessions. During qEEG feedback, therapists adjust the settings in real time, enhancing the effectiveness of the treatment and keeping patients engaged.
Research has demonstrated that neurofeedback therapy is an effective treatment for insomnia. It helps relax the mind and body, reducing heightened alertness or the "fight-or-flight" response in the brain, which in turn promotes deeper sleep and reduces the time it takes to fall asleep. Neurofeedback can shift brainwaves from those associated with restlessness to those linked with relaxation (Wang et al., 2023). In some cases, participants no longer meet the criteria for an insomnia diagnosis after completing their sessions (Lambert-Beaudet et al., 2021). Additionally, Białkowska et al. (2022) found that after 20 sessions, participants showed significant improvements in symptoms related to attention, anxiety, and mood regulation.
Although insomnia is common, it should not be ignored or considered normal, as it can have long-term physical and mental health effects.
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