The effect of alpha binaural beats stimulation on quantitative electroencephalogram in shift work sleep disorders: an experimental study

BACKGROUND: Insomnia is a subjective perception of difficulty in initiating sleep, duration, consolidation or quality of sleep. Shift work sleep disorder can occur in someone who works with a rotation system outside normal working hour. When binaural beats are played, they can reduce the state of hyperarousal and contribute to sleep induction. Quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG) is a modern type of analysis that involves recording digital signals that are processed, transformed and analyzed with evidence showing the mechanism of cortical formation and functional variations of correlation along the sleep-wake rhythm. This study was conducted to determine the effect between the use of alpha binaural beats to shift work sleep disorder and evaluated with electroencephalography.METHODS: This study was experimental with a pre-/post-test design at Dr. Wahidin Sudirohusodo Hospital, Makassar (Indonesia). The samples consist of 28 patients, and they had a shift worker. Insomnia shift work sleep disorder is diagnosed based on insomnia screening questionnaire findings. Binaural beat with alpha wave for 30 minutes. QEEG use identified the effect of binaural beats.RESULTS: This study involved 28 subjects, the median value of alpha waves before listening to alpha binaural beats was -1.570 (min-max -5.01 - 0.86), then increased to -0.870 (min-max -4.210 - 10.30) after listening to alpha binaural beats. The relative increase in alpha wave power was statistically significant between before and after listening to alpha binaural beats with a P value of 0.0035.CONCLUSIONS: There is a significant difference in the relative alpha Z score before and after alpha binaural beats stimulation and a significant effect of alpha wave binaural beats stimulation on changes in QEEG waves in shift workers who experience sleep disorders.