LAUSR

The aim of this archival study was to utilize quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG) recordings to explore the effects of Bilateral Alternating Stimulation Tactile (BLAST) technology on Hispanic individuals following the recollection of a stressful event. It was hypothesized that significant changes in the participants’ qEEG recordings would occur following the BLAST condition and that would, in turn, represent decreases in anxiety. The clinical sample consisted of 6 Hispanic individuals: 3 identified as Nicaraguan, and 3 identified as Hispanic/Biracial. Ages of the participants ranged from 6 years to 51 years, and they had various diagnoses such as ADHD, Specific Learning Disability, and Anxiety. 19-channel 5-minute qEEG recordings were collected utilizing a NeuroField Q20 amplifier and was stored using NeuroGuide at three different time points: a baseline measure when thinking of the stressful event, during the delivery of BLAST, and after removing the devices. Paired t-test analyses were conducted before and after BLAST with NeuroGuide’s Neurostat software. EEG recordings comparing the stress condition to the BLAST condition exhibited reduced activity in right frontal Theta at 4-8 Hz in the frontal channel locations (FP2, F4, and C4). Significant reductions were also found in Beta 1 at 12-14 Hz in the frontal channel locations (F3, FP2, and F7), reductions in Gamma at 40-50 Hz at C4, reductions in Delta (1-4 Hz) and Theta (4-8 Hz) at C4. Additionally, increases in high Beta (25-30 Hz) and Beta 2 were found at C4. The results indicate that BLAST technology may be an appropriate intervention for Hispanic individuals to reduce cortex activity associated with anxiety and stress. Generalizability is difficult due to the study’s small sample size. Thus, a larger sample size should be recruited and tested to determine the sustainability of the effects in a more inclusive population.