Acceptability and usability of smartphone-based brainwave entrainment technology used by individuals with chronic pain in a home setting

Helen N Locke; Joanna Brooks; Laura J Arendsen; Nikhil Kurian Jacob; Alex Casson; Anthony Kp Jones; Manoj Sivan

doi:10.1177/2049463720908798

Acceptability and usability of smartphone-based brainwave entrainment technology used by individuals with chronic pain in a home setting

Br J Pain. 2020 Aug;14(3):161-170. doi: 10.1177/2049463720908798. Epub 2020 Feb 21.

Authors

Helen N Locke^{1

2}, Joanna Brooks³, Laura J Arendsen⁴, Nikhil Kurian Jacob⁵, Alex Casson⁵, Anthony Kp Jones⁶, Manoj Sivan^{1

2

6}

Affiliations

¹ Academic Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Leeds Institute of Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
² Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust and Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK.
³ Manchester Centre for Health Psychology, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
⁴ Division of Functional and Restorative Neurosurgery, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
⁵ Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
⁶ Human Pain Research Group, Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.

Abstract

Background: Brainwave entrainment (BWE) using rhythmic visual or auditory stimulation has many potential clinical applications, including the management of chronic pain, where there is a pressing need for novel, safe and effective treatments. The aim of this study was to gain qualitative feedback on the acceptability and usability of a novel BWE smartphone application, to ensure it meets the needs and wishes of end users.

Methods: Fifteen participants with chronic pain used the application at home for 4 weeks. Semi-structured telephone interviews were then carried out. A template analysis approach was used to interpret the findings, with an initial coding template structured around the constructs of a theoretical framework for assessing acceptability of healthcare interventions. Structured data analysis generated a final modified coding structure, capturing themes generated across participants' accounts.

Results: The four main themes were 'approach to trying out the app: affective attitude and ethicality', 'perceived effectiveness', 'opportunity costs and burden' and 'intervention coherence and self-efficacy'. All participants were willing to engage with the technology and welcomed it as an alternative approach to medications. Participants appreciated the simplicity of design and the ability to choose between visual or auditory stimulation. All the participants felt confident in using the application.

Conclusion: The findings demonstrate preliminary support for the acceptability and usability of the BWE application. This is the first qualitative study of BWE to systematically assess these issues.

Keywords: EEG phase synchronisation; Mobile applications; alpha rhythm; pain management; pain perception.