Sleep Disorders Research - EEG and Neurofeedback studies

In 1996, an NIH Technology Assessment Panel concluded that several nonpharmacological techniques, particularly relaxation and biofeedback, produced improvements in sleep quality. In 1998 the American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommended biofeedback along with progressive muscle relaxation for insomnia after reviewing the quality of research. Biofeedback was rated “probably efficacious” along with sleep restriction and cognitive-behavioral therapy. In 2006, an American Sleep Disorders Association Task Force rated nonpharmacological treatments of insomnia and reported that biofeedback was effective in the treatment of both chronic primary insomnia and secondary insomnia.

  • Morgenthaler, T., Kramer, M., Alessi, C., Friedman, L., Boehlecke, B., Brown, T., et al. (2006). Practice parameters for the psychological and behavioral treatment of insomnia: An update. An American Academy of Sleep Medicine Report. Sleep, 29(11), 1415-1419.
  • Morin, A.K., Jarvis, C.I., & Lynch, A.M. (2007). Therapeutic options for sleep-maintenance and sleep onset insomnia. Pharmacotherapy, 27(1), 89-110.
  • Morin, C.M., Hauri, P.J., Espie, C.A., Spielman, A.J., Buysse, D.J., & Bootzin, R.R. (1998). Nonpharmacologic treatment of chronic insomnia. An American Academy of Sleep Medicine Review. Neuroscience and Behavior Physiology, 28(3), 330-335.
  • NIH Technology Assessment Panel on Integration of Behavioral and Relaxation Approaches into the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Insomnia. (1996). Integration of behavioral and relaxation approaches into the treatment of chronic pain and insomnia. Journal of the American Medical Association, 276(4), 313-318.
  • Standards of Practice Committee of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. (1999). An American Academy of Sleep Medicine Report. Practice parameters for the non-pharmacologic treatment of chronic insomnia. Sleep, 22(8), 1134-1156.

    1. The treatment of psychophysiologic insomnia with biofeedback: a replication study. Hauri PJ, Percy L, Hellekson C, Hartmann E, Russ D. Biofeedback and self-regulation. 1982 Jun;7(2):223-35.

    2. A double-blind investigation of the relationship between seizure activity and the sleep EEG following EEG biofeedback training. Whitsett SF, Lubar JF, Holder GS, Pamplin WE, Shabsin HS. Biofeedback and self-regulation. 1982 Jun;7(2):193-209.

    3. Treating psychophysiologic insomnia with biofeedback. Hauri P. Archives of general psychiatry. 1981 Jul;38(7):752-8.

    4. Quantitative analysis of training, sleep EEG and clinical response to EEG operant conditioning in epileptics. Sterman MB, Shouse MN. Electroencephalography and clinical neurophysiology. 1980 Sep;49(5-6):558-76.

    5. A comparison of relaxation techniques with electrosleep therapy for chronic, sleep-onset insomnia a sleep-EEG study. Coursey RD, Frankel BL, Gaarder KR, Mott DE. Biofeedback and self-regulation. 1980 Mar;5(1):57-73.

    6. The use of EEG theta biofeedback in the treatment of a patient with sleep-onset insomnia. Bell JS. Biofeedback and self-regulation. 1979 Sep;4(3):229-36.

    7. Sensorimotor EEG operant conditioning: experimental and clinical effects. Sterman MB. The Pavlovian journal of biological science. 1977 Apr-Jun;12(2):63-92.

    8. Biofeedback and progressive relaxation treatment of sleep-onset insomnia: a controlled, all-night investigation. Freedman R, Papsdorf JD. Biofeedback and self-regulation. 1976 Sep;1(3):253-71.