Seeing how many of my clients suffering from PTSD, stress and chronic pain also struggle with insomnia, I’ve long wanted to create a resource to help them. Sure there are meds, but they seem to create more problems than they solve and lose effectiveness over time. I also haven’t found the traditional sleep hygiene strategies to be of much help. I know there is some research for IRT (Image Rehearsal Therapy) being helpful with PTSD-related insomnia but I prefer approaches which require less effort on the part of my clients, who are often tired and unfocused, which is why I like EMDR . For example yesterday I treated a boat accident survivor with unresolved PTSD (15 months) whose trauma literally melted away after a few sets of bls (bilateral stimulation) leading him to comment incredulously, “how can it be that easy?” If you’re new to EMDR bilateral stimulation is a core treatment element of this method which involves instructing the client to focus on the traumatic memory whilst simultaneously tracking a visual or auditory stimulus and “just noticing.” With simple PTSD this usually leads to a relaxation response and a permanent change in the way the memory is stored.
I’ve also noticed that many of my client’s report feeling drowsy following EMDR, particularly after sessions involving heavy emotional processing. They make comments like “if you kept doing that (bls) I think I’d fall asleep.” Many report sleeping soundly after the session and generally sleeping better following successful EMDR. One of the most popular theories about how EMDR works is that it activates processes similar to those involved in REM sleep (Stickgold, 2002). Consistent with this bilateral stimulation (bls), a defining treatment element of EMDR, has been found to stimulate a synchronization of cortical activity in the delta range (associated with deep restful sleep (Paganini et al 2017). EMDR has also been found to improve sleep in PTSD sufferers (Robonini et al 2014).
This led me to think that an app incorporating bls could be helpful for insomnia sufferers, particularly those affected by stress, trauma and pain. Digital apps are one of the fastest growing areas of health technology and there are over 60 sleep apps at this time (April 2018). Most sleep apps however, do not appear to have been designed with any consideration of the role of stress in insomnia. So, I made one. ‘Sleep Restore based on EMDR’ is specifically designed for sufferers of stress-related insomnia, (eg; PTSD, chronic medical conditions). That means that is designed to addredss the effects of stress which lead to insomnia, and the different types of insomnia. For more information get the app – its in the ‘about’ section of free version.
Sleep Restore based on EMDR features;
- 6 – 18 sessions (free version vs premium) of guided meditations, music and nature sounds, combined with bilateral stimulation.
- Different sessions to address worry and tension, the 2 main causes of insomnia
- Different sessions for ‘getting to sleep’ and ‘getting back to sleep’ the two main types of insomnia
- Sleep assessment questionnaire and progress feedback
- Individualized recommendations based on questionnaire responses
- Ability to create individualized playlists, repeat and loop sessions indefinitely
- Unique sleep hacks to help improve sleep (premium version only)
- Available in IOS and android versions
Responses to the questionnaire will be collected and analysed with a view to publishing some research regarding the efficacy of the app, probably in mid 2019.
Here are links to the app;
Apple (Itunes store)
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sleep-restore/id1339488667?mt=8
Android (Google play)
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.overcomingpain.sleeprestore&hl=en
If you are a therapist wanting to recommend this app to a client I suggest you get them to download it in your office and complete the questionnaire in front of you – the results will give you a good indication of your clients current levels of stress,
I hope you like it and find it helpful.
References
Pagani M. Benedikt L., Landin-Romero R., et al (2017) Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing and Slow Wave Sleep: A Putative mechanism of action. Frontiers in Psychology. Vol 8. Art.no 1935, doi: 10.3389/fpsyg,2017.01935
Roboni Fabiana, Alonso D, Tufik Sergio, Suchecki Deborah (2014) Improvement of mood and sleep alterations in post traumatic stress disorder patients by eye movement desensitization and reprocessing. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience Vol 8 (209) p 1-10
Stickgold, R. (2002). EMDR: A putative neurobiological mechanism of action. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 58, 61-75.