Audio-visual Stimulation for Sleep Promotion in Older Adults With Osteoarthritis Pain

Background and Purpose: The purpose of the study is to test the efficacy of an audio-visual stimulation program for sleep promotion in adults with chronic pain. The hypothesis is that hyper-arousal plays an important role in insomnia. Brainwave entrainment from 8 to 1 Hz reduces arousal, and thereby improves sleep. Improved sleep may change how people perceive pain. Methods: Using a double-blind, randomized controlled trial design, we plan to enroll 30 adults (21-65 years old) experiencing both nonmalignant pain and insomnia. Exclusion criteria include: seizure disorder, sleep disorder, and night shift workers. After a one-week baseline measure, participants will be randomized to intervention or placebo group. Participants in both groups will be asked to self-administer the audio-visual stimulation program every night at bedtime for one month. Upon completion, post intervention measures will be collected.