Physical treatments for insomnia: how they work, clinical results, and using patient types to guide therapy

Five physical factor therapies for insomnia are reviewed, focusing on their potential as adjunctive options.

• Therapies include auditory stimulation, phototherapy, thermotherapy, electrical stimulation, and magnetic stimulation.
• These therapies target insomnia through mechanisms such as sensory modulation, neuromodulation, and autonomic regulation.
• Research indicates potential benefits in areas like circadian rhythm adjustment and promoting sleep onset.
• Clinical evidence for these therapies varies, with some modalities showing preliminary efficacy and safety concerns.
• Advances in technology may enhance the feasibility of these therapies, but their long-term effectiveness and adherence need further investigation.
• Future studies should aim for larger trials with standardized approaches and objective measures of sleep outcomes.

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