In 2011, our team launched a series of research projects to evaluate the use of HIRREM in a clinical setting. The primary goals are to evaluate the potential benefits of HIRREM, identify which symptoms or conditions may benefit and define the magnitude of any benefit using accepted scientific methods. With the help of many collaborators our secondary goal is to better understand the mechanism(s) of action for HIRREM.
HIRREM Research
An open-label developmental study to evaluate the feasibility of HIRREM, as well as the effect size and the effect on autonomic function for a variety of symptoms and conditions (NCT02709369).
To be organized in collaboration with the Sports Medicine Section in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at Wake Forest School of Medicine, this project will be a single site, randomized, single blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the effects of HIRREM, compared to placebo, for athletes with concussion who experience symptoms persisting longer than 4 weeks following the TBI/concussion. This study will assess the effect of HIRREM on overall post-concussion symptoms, with a focus on headache, sleep, depression, clarity/focus, and balance.
Outcome measures will also include pre- and post-intervention blood pressure and heart rate recordings to evaluate autonomic cardiovascular control, brain MRI scans for network connectivity, and blood and saliva biomarkers for stress and inflammation.
The study is funded by a research grant from the Susanne Marcus Collins Foundation, Inc.