Audiovisual stimulator

Medical

The Mentalstim

Variable-frequency audiovisual stimulator (AVS) New technologies for deep and rapid relaxation . Brugmann University Hospital, Sleep laboratory

Locoregional anaesthesia

Dr Diebold and Litchinko, Gentilly Private Hospital. Drs. Diebold and Litchinko have been using these new surgical tools since 1989 on over 5,000 patients. 96% of these patients were enthusiastic about the technique and did not require additional analgesics or sedatives! Dr Diebold and Litchinko, Hôpital Privé Gentilly

Relaxation cassettes for an operation

Drs. Lisoir and Litchinko have devised three recordings that patients listen to before, during and after the operation. General satisfaction: Patient feels good before, during and after the operation The surgeon can operate without worrying about sudden movements caused by patient discomfort The anaesthetist contributes to the patient’s well-being by reducing the use of toxic drugs. He enriches the therapeutic relationship before and during the operation Hospital stays are shorter because the patient encounters fewer postoperative complications Dr Lamesh, anaesthetist Erasmus University Hospital.

Relaxation/pain relief during dental treatment

Saint Peter’s University Hospital – Recovery room

In July 1994, Drs. Van Alphen and Roger Henneaux began using Mentalstim and the Meta Relaxation cassettes in the recovery room. 94% of the patients who tried Mentalstim recommend it! Given the excellent results, a second device was purchased in December 1994. "Some of the pain and postoperative complications are directly linked to anxiety. The percentage of cases of vomiting, which used to be about 35% to 40% on average, fell to 12%! Heart-related complications dropped from 14.4% to 2.3% and respiratory complications went from 6% to 0.3%. All problems considered, 25% of patients suffer less!" (Le Vif Express 4/11/94).

In-house clinic at a Belgian ministry

Dr Grijp, head doctor at the clinic became interested in therapeutic methods to fight depression and subsequent psychosomatic disorders. The Mentalstim was chosen in July 1994. A second device was purchased six months after the first one! "The Mentalstim is an excellent anti-stress tool, patients are satisfied and regularly practise this type of relaxation to diffuse chronic stress." (Dr Grijp, TRP april 1995).

How is Mentalstim used in hospitals?
Mentalstim can be used to relieve stress during surgery, to prepare patients for painful examinations, to alleviate suffering of cancer patients, to mentally prepare mothers for childbirth, to soothe anxiety felt by insomniacs in sleep laboratories. Cardiology wards, recovery rooms, pain clinics, stomatology wards are all excellent places where it can be used. And this list is by no means exhaustive!

How is Mentalstim used in psychosomatic medicine?
Symptoms of stress are generally detected by general practitioners, osteopaths, physical therapists and psychologists. Mentalstim can be used as a complement to stress treatment to induce effective, deep and quick relaxation.

Reasons why these new technologies are so successful.
No one questions the benefits of relaxation. However, for the first time ever, AVS technology can be used to induce relaxation without the constant presence of a therapist. These new technologies have been so successful that they are sweeping into the medical world!

Principle – two synergetic factors come into play:

An electronic control console (variable-frequency A.V.S) delivers rhythmic audiovisual stimulation through a pair of eye frames and headphones.

A. The feeling of deep relaxation takes place in five –not necessarily consecutive- stages:

1. Occupation of the perceptual field
2. Defocalisation of attention towards rich visual imagery
3. Sensory hyperstimulation/elevation of sensory thresholds/isolation
4. Gradual fading of internal imagery
5. Slowing down of brain wave pattern (alpha)

B. A cassette player is used to simultaneously play music, relaxing voices (metaphors, multiple voices, psycho-acoustic techniques, nature sounds, etc.)

How it works:

With the eyes closed, the user quickly sees geometric shapes and colour images that look very similar to the Vasarely’s paintings. These visual hallucinations are most likely due to an attempt by the brain to process unusual information induced by the flickering light. We believe that audiovisual stimulation works because attention becomes defocalised.

Through sensory hyperstimulation, the sensory threshold gradually increases and the subject becomes more and more isolated from external stimuli. The imagery is reduced because the eyes are closed, the eye balls slowly turn upwards in their sockets, which reduces the ocular mobility that allows us to record images in the visual cortex. Finally, the mind “empties” and cerebral rhythm suddenly decreases. This is most likely because the brain is no longer stimulated by perception of data to be processed. This hypothesis contradicts the conventional FFR (Frequency Following Response) theory.

However, it is true that the speed of the stimulation frequency seems to influence access to different states consciousness. For example: A slow stimulation rhythm will tend to induce sleep whereas a slightly faster rhythm will produce a near-sleep state of relaxation, which is known to stimulate memory, recovery and healing capacities. A fast stimulation rhythm will induce an awakened state of creative inspiration that facilitates cognitive operations thanks to a process of defocalisation of internal parasites. This in turn boosts our capacity for abstract thoughts and creativity.

We feel that FFR does not explain why rhythm has an influence on the state of consciousness. Our hypothesis is that cerebral rhythm, like heart rhythm, is nothing more and nothing less than a reflection of brain activity. Whenever the brain is involved in cognitive tasks of information processing, then biochemical activity increases. This, in turn, leads to higher electrical activity (fast beta rhythm).

It is unlikely that external intermittent stimulation can have any impact on the natural rhythm of nerve cells. A more plausible hypothesis to explain the change in rhythm would be cultural beliefs that ascribe stimulation speed to a corresponding state of consciousness. It is culturally accepted, for example, that fast stimulation rates produce agitation and that slow stimulation rates are soothing.

Moreover, none of our experiments in several sleep laboratories nor any of our control groups have produced evidence to show that frequency following response exists. In fact, S. Krsmanovic’s study using the Neo-EEG showed that FFR is a utopia that is not based on scientific observation.

 With the eyes closed, the user quickly sees geometric shapes and colour images that look very similar to the Vasarely’s paintings. These visual hallucinations are most likely due to an attempt by the brain to process unusual information induced by the flickering light. We believe that audiovisual stimulation works because attention becomes defocalised.

Through sensory hyperstimulation, the sensory threshold gradually increases and the subject becomes more and more isolated from external stimuli. The imagery is reduced because the eyes are closed, the eye balls slowly turn upwards in their sockets, which reduces the ocular mobility that allows us to record images in the visual cortex. Finally, the mind “empties” and cerebral rhythm suddenly decreases. This is most likely because the brain is no longer stimulated by perception of data to be processed. This hypothesis contradicts the conventional FFR (Frequency Following Response) theory.

However, it is true that the speed of the stimulation frequency seems to influence access to different states consciousness. For example: A slow stimulation rhythm will tend to induce sleep whereas a slightly faster rhythm will produce a near-sleep state of relaxation, which is known to stimulate memory, recovery and healing capacities. A fast stimulation rhythm will induce an awakened state of creative inspiration that facilitates cognitive operations thanks to a process of defocalisation of internal parasites. This in turn boosts our capacity for abstract thoughts and creativity.

We feel that FFR does not explain why rhythm has an influence on the state of consciousness. Our hypothesis is that cerebral rhythm, like heart rhythm, is nothing more and nothing less than a reflection of brain activity. Whenever the brain is involved in cognitive tasks of information processing, then biochemical activity increases. This, in turn, leads to higher electrical activity (fast beta rhythm).

It is unlikely that external intermittent stimulation can have any impact on the natural rhythm of nerve cells. A more plausible hypothesis to explain the change in rhythm would be cultural beliefs that ascribe stimulation speed to a corresponding state of consciousness. It is culturally accepted, for example, that fast stimulation rates produce agitation and that slow stimulation rates are soothing.

Moreover, none of our experiments in several sleep laboratories nor any of our control groups have produced evidence to show that frequency following response exists. In fact, S. Krsmanovic’s study using the Neo-EEG showed that FFR is a utopia that is not based on scientific observation.

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