Non-drug therapy for sleep disorders in the elderly: a focus on neurofeedback technology

Abstract

Sleep disorders are a significant clinical problem for older patients, increasing in prevalence and significantly impacting their overall health. Due to limitations in the safety and availability of traditional treatments, EEG-based neurofeedback technology (NF) has emerged as a promising non-pharmacological intervention. Evidence supports the efficacy of NF protocols, particularly those targeting the sensorimotor rhythm and individual alpha peak frequency, for the treatment of sleep disorders. Clinical studies demonstrate that NF leads to significant improvements in both subjective sleep quality and objective sleep parameters, including sleep onset latency and total sleep duration. This technology offers several advantages for use in geriatrics, including non-invasiveness, the absence of pharmacological side effects, the ability to be personalized, and potential for home-based implementation. Additional benefits include a reduction in concomitant symptoms of anxiety and depression, enhancing its clinical utility in older patients with complex presentations. While existing data support the therapeutic potential of NF, future research should prioritize larger randomized controlled trials, particularly in older adults, assessing long-term outcomes, and standardizing protocols. These findings position EEG-based neurofeedback as a valuable component of comprehensive geriatric care for sleep disorders, offering a safe and effective approach to improving sleep quality and overall well-being in aging populations.

Keywords: insomnia, sleep, aging, neurofeedback, EEG, elderly