Vibroacoustic Research

VTS-1000-sound-category Sound Oasis VTS-1000 –  Stress, Sleep, Energy Music is well known as a means to reduce stress, induce sleep, improve relaxation, and promote energy.  A recent study by Levitin shows strong scientific evidence of this: http://daniellevitin.com/levitinlab/articles/2013-TICS_1180.pdf The music in the Sleep program (from Music to Promote Sleep) on the Sound Oasis VTS-1000 was shown very effective at inducing sleep in a recent study in Toronto: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4028660/

Sound Oasis VTS-1000 – Current Medical Trials The medical potential of the VTS-1000 goes beyond sleep and stress and this is seen in the use of this potent device in three clinical trials registered with the U.S. National Institutes of Health – (1) Depression: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02685982?term=VTS1000&rank=2 (2) Fibromyalgia: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02493348 (3) Temporomandibular Disorder: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02427113?term=TMD+music&rank=1

Low Frequency Stimulation Research is showing that what makes vibroacoustic therapy and the VTS-1000 potentially effective with many medical conditions is the effect low frequencies have on stimulating a brainwave response.  The vibration on the back, shoulders, and neck stimulate a synchronized neural response. It is believed that this could treat conditions associated with known brainwave problems including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Fibromyalgia, and Depression.

Specific Tracks used in Research

To download these tracks, please visit our sound download store by clicking here.

Research Study Track 1   

This track features a 40Hz sine wave sound with amplitude modulation. It is a replica for the VTS1000 of the treatment tracks used in the following three studies.

Alzheimer’s Disease: In this study at Baycrest Hospital in Toronto, 18 Alzheimer’s (AD) patients with mild, medium, and severe AD were treated for 30 minutes 2 times a week for 3 weeks with a vibroacoustic therapy device.  Patients demonstrated a highly significant improvement in cognitive function – alertness, clarity, memory – as measured by a standardized AD test.  To see the whole study:  http://hdl.handle.net/1807/72411

Pain – Fibromyalgia: In this study by the Music and Health Research Collaboratory, University of Toronto, 19 Fibromyalgia (FM) patients were treated 2 times a week for 5 weeks with 23 minutes of 40Hz sine waves stimulation on a vibroacoustic therapy device.  After the 10 treatments, a quarter of the patients were off all pain medication and the others had reduced pain medication. The group showed highly significant improvement in the quality of life measured by the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire. They were sleeping better, had less depression, had greater neck and shoulder mobility, and could stand and sit longer.  To see the full study: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4325896/

Parkinson’s Disease: In this study now being analyzed at Laurier University, 60 Parkinson’s (PD) patients were treated 3 times a week for 12 weeks with a vibroacoustic device. Results are not yet available, but an earlier study by the same researchers using 30Hz stimulation saw very significant improvements in only 10 minutes of treatment. To see the clinical trial registration: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02306863?term=%22Parkinson%27s%22+AND+%22Waterloo%22&rank=2

Research Study Track 2

Track 2 is designed to take full advantage of the potential of the VTS-1000 to produce low frequency vibrotactile stimulation as well as auditory stimulation through the small speakers at the top of the device.  The low frequency speaker plays a 40Hz sine wave sound with amplitude modulation while the small speakers play a higher pitched isochronous sound at 40Hz. This is the exact track now being used with the following Fibromyalgia study, and is proposed as an experimental track for an Alzheimer’s study being developed.

Pain – Fibromyalgia: In this study currently underway at the Wasser Pain Management Centre at Mt Sinai Hospital, 50 Fibromyalgia (FM) patients are being treated with either this track (Track 2) or with a dysrhythmic vibratory track.  To see details of this study: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02493348

Alzheimer’s:  As a follow-up to the AD study described with Track 1, a new study that will use the VTS-1000 is being designed. This new study will study the effectiveness of Track 2 as a treatment track.

Research Study Track 3

Track 3 is a replica for the VTS-1000 of the treatment sound in the following Parkinson’s study. The track includes 30Hz sine wave sound with amplitude modulation.

Parkinson’s: In this study conducted at Wildrid Laurier University in Waterloo Ontario, 40 patients with Parkison’s (PD) were treated on a vibroacoustic device with 30 Hz sound. PD patients in two groups – tremor and dyskinesia – were treated over 10 minutes with 5 minutes of sound stimulation – one minute stimulation and then one minute silence over and over for 10 minutes.   Both PD groups showed very significant improvement in their symptoms. To see the full study: http://fysioakustiikka.com/pdf/ParkinsonStudy2009.pdf

Research Study Track 4

Track 4 is an experimental track not yet used in a study. It consists of a 40Hz sine wave with amplitude modulation for the center speaker of the VTS-1000 plus a higher pitched sound that has been modulated to produce a 10Hz isochronous sound in the upper speakers. Track 4 is proposed theoretically for use with conditions linked to thalamocortical dysrhythmia (TCD). The thalamocortical loop is one of the central functional circuits of the brain and is characterized by dominant 10 Hz brainwave activity in the center of the brain – the thalamus, and a dominant 40Hz brainwave activity in the upper part of the brain – the cortex. Research shows that dysrhythmia of this thalamocortical loop is related to conditions such as depression, central pain, tinnitus, and Parkinson’s. Track 4 potentially serves to re-regulate the TCD dysrhythmia and reduce symptoms of related disorders.

Using tracks 1 – 4 After the track has been downloaded, plug in your smartphone, mp3 player or computer into the side of the VTS-1000 controller. Adjust the intensity level so you can comfortably but clearly feel the vibration on your body (stronger or louder is not necessarily better. Making intensity too strong might actually make pain worse). With tracks 2 and 4, adjust the volume so you can clearly hear the upper speakers.  Use the treatment for about 30 minutes – the length of the track – 5 times a week. Do not expect instant results – notice most of the studies went on for a number of weeks.