Binaural Beat Technology and Rhythmical Photic Stimulation

Background Many nurses must shoulder heavy workloads and often develop depressive emotions due to work stress. Previous studies pointed out that binaural beat technology (BBT) and rhythmical photic stimulation can effectively improve negative emotions but there are very few related empirical studies.Objectives This study examined the effectiveness of BBT combined with rhythmical photic stimulation in improving depressive symptoms in nurses.Methods This is a randomized controlled trial and nurses in central Taiwan were recruited as participants. These participants were randomized into three groups: BBT combined with rhythmical photic stimulation group, BBT group, and relaxing music group. The intervention period was 2 weeks, with 30 minutes per session. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), vitality and mental health scale (VT&MH from SF-36), and heart rate variability (HRV) were used as parameters for pre- and posttest evaluation in this study. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to test if there are significant differences in various parameters in the three groups before and after intervention. The Krusal-Wallis test was used to test for significant differences in parameter changes between the three groups.

Inclusion Criteria:(1) BDI score ≥ 14 points; (2) aged between 20 and 50 years, and (3) did not undergo antidepressant treatment within 3 months before intervention and during intervention.Exclusion Criteria:(1) Subjects with a medical history of mixed psychosis, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and dementia; (2) patients with current acute disease and unstable physiological status; (3) medical history of epilepsy; (4) patients with eye diseases; (5) vertigo (including Meniere's syndrome); (6) hearing loss; and (7) participated in electroconvulsive therapy or transcranial electrical stimulation within 1 month prior to or during intervention.