Later years bring many people more free time – but often less mental challenge, slower and more monotonous days, and more hours spent alone. This is when a calm, regular daily routine that supports relaxation and refreshment can make a real difference. Audio-visual stimulation (AVS) offers a convenient option for this, one that can also be used at home. In this article, we introduce the method and look at what research has to say about it.

What exactly is AVS training?

Audio-visual stimulation, or AVS for short, is a technique in which special glasses and headphones deliver rhythmic pulses of light and sound. EEG research has long shown that the brain’s electrical activity can follow a rhythmic light stimulus – a phenomenon known as photic driving.[1] AVS programs are built on this phenomenon: depending on the rhythm chosen, they can be relaxing, energizing, or designed to calm the mind in the evening.

What can AVS offer the older generation?

Relaxation and tension relief: During longer sessions of light-sound stimulation, studies have observed physical relaxation, reduced muscle tension, and physiological signs of a restful state.[2] According to an independent Hungarian review from the University of Debrecen summarizing 24 peer-reviewed studies, relieving stress and tension is one of the most widely studied applications of AVS.[3]
Evening wind-down: Gradually slowing evening programs support winding down before bedtime. This has also been studied in older adults.[4]
Mental freshness: Research has also examined AVS in situations requiring attention and mental performance.[3] In studies described by the manufacturer, conducted with residents of senior care homes, participants’ performance on memory tasks improved.[6]
A gentle, non-invasive method: According to an independent systematic review, light-sound stimulation can be used safely and non-invasively to achieve favorable, calm mental states.[5]

How to get started

AVS programs can be done comfortably at home, sitting or lying down – on your own, or with the help of a family member, who can also assist with setting up the device. This way, the program can even become a shared daily ritual. To get started, we recommend a personal assessment: we get to know your goals and daily habits, use them to put together an individual program plan, and later discuss your experience together, adjusting the plan if needed. The assessment is not a medical examination and does not replace a medical diagnosis.

AVS is not a cure, but a pleasant, complementary relaxation option that fits well into a conscious, active lifestyle – alongside exercise, good sleep, social connections, and mental activity. If you have a health concern, always consult your doctor first.

References

  1. Siever, D. & Collura, T. (2017): Audio–Visual Entrainment: Physiological Mechanisms and Clinical Outcomes. In: Rhythmic Stimulation Procedures in Neuromodulation, Elsevier, 51–95. DOI: 10.1016/B978-0-12-803726-3.00003-1. Co-author is the manufacturer’s founder. Supplemented by: Collura, T. F. & Siever, D.: Auditory-visual entrainment in relation to mental health and EEG. In: Introduction to QEEG and Neurofeedback, Ch. 8 – describing Adrian and Matthews’ (1934) observation that the brain’s alpha rhythm can be driven by photic stimulation.
  2. Fábián, T. K., Kovács, K. J., Gótai, L., Beck, A., Krause, W-R. & Fejérdy, P. (2009): Photo-acoustic stimulation: theoretical background and ten years of clinical experience. Contemporary Hypnosis, 26(4): 225–233. DOI: 10.1002/ch.389 – Semmelweis University, HAS Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology (KOKI); independent of the manufacturer.
  3. Szabó Gergely – Szabó Csaba (2014): Practical Applications of Audio-Visual Stimulation. University of Debrecen, Faculty of Humanities, Institute of Psychology (TÁMOP 4.2.4.A/2-11-1-2012-0001). A review of 24 peer-reviewed studies; independent of the manufacturer. The authors recommend better-controlled studies due to methodological inconsistencies.
  4. Tang, H-Y., Vitiello, M. V., Perlis, M. & Riegel, B. (2015): Open-Loop Neurofeedback Audiovisual Stimulation: A Pilot Study of Its Potential for Sleep Induction in Older Adults. Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, 40: 183–188. DOI: 10.1007/s10484-015-9285-x – independent of the manufacturer; small sample (8 participants), pilot study without a control group.
  5. Furtado da Silva, V., Ribeiro, A. P., dos Santos, V. A., Nardi, A. E., King, A. L. S. & Calomeni, M. R. (2015): Stimulation by Light and Sound: Therapeutic Effects in Humans. Systematic Review. Clinical Practice & Epidemiology in Mental Health, 11: 150–154. Independent of the manufacturer; the authors note the small number of studies included.
  6. Mind Alive Inc.: Seniors’ Studies with Mind Alive Devices (summaries of senior care home studies by T. Budzynski, C. Palmquist, and C. Berg). Manufacturer summary, not a full, peer-reviewed publication.

Important notice. Agytréner devices are intended for relaxation and general well-being purposes and are not medical devices. They are not designed to prevent, diagnose, treat, or cure any illness, and do not replace medical examination, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have an existing health condition or illness, or are taking medication, please consult your physician before use. The device must not be used by people with epilepsy or a predisposition to photosensitive seizures, or by anyone using a pacemaker or other implanted electronic device; the CES function is not recommended during pregnancy. The experiences described are individual user feedback, not guaranteed results.