[In Context] Gian Lorenzo Bernini's 17th century white noise machine

For centuries, people have sought relief from insomnia through a wide assortment of methods. Studies in young adults and children, which investigated non-pharmacological approaches in sleep induction, found that white noise triggered sleep and reduced night-waking behaviours.1 –2 Nowadays, different kinds of white noise devices are available for insomnia relief, which can sound like rushing waterfalls or wind blowing through trees. It is less well known that one of the most ancient insomnia treatment machines—which used the principles of white noise—was invented in the 17th century by the illustrious architect and sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini (1598–1680), known for designing the Fountain of the Four Rivers (Rome, Italy), and the colonnades of St.

Source: Lancet Neurology - September 13, 2017 Category: Neurology Authors: Michele Augusto Riva, Vincenzo Cimino, Stefano Sanchirico Tags: In Context Source Type: research