Alpha and Low Gamma Embedded With White Noise Binaural Beats Modulating Working Memory among Malaysian Young Adult: A Preliminary fMRI Study
https://doi.org/10.47836/mjmhs.19.1.17
- Author:
Nursabrina Mohd Firdaus Aloysius
1
;
Aini Ismafairus Abd Hamid
1
,
2
,
3
;
Faiz Mustafar
1
,
2
Author Information
1. Department of Neurosciences, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia&
2. Brain And Behavoiur Cluster, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia&
3. Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, Universiti Sains Malaysia Kampus Kesihatan, Jalan Raja Perempuan Zainab 2, 16150 Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Binaural beats, Auditory, n-back, Working memory, fMRI
- From:Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences
2023;19(No.1):113-124
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Introduction: Binaural beats (BB) provisions alpha and gamma have been suggested to modulate working memory
(WM), while white noise (WN) acted as a control condition. Methods: The current study overlays WN on alpha
and gamma tones to study its modulating role on WM performance. A block-design n-back task paradigm used to
determine the effect of load on embedded BB on WM performance using functional magnetic resonance imaging.
Results: Six young adults (3 males and 3 females) with mean age of 23.5 ± 0.84 within the Kota Bharu vicinity participated in the study. A repeated-measures ANOVA (p<0.05) on response accuracy indicate medium effect size on
condition (η2
=0.420), and large effect sizes on groups (η2
= 0.388) and load (η2
= 0.487). The potential practical
difference is more evident on low- (0-back) and high-load (3-back). GWN provision marginally excels, implying its
entrainment may benefit WM processing. A repeated-measures ANOVA (p<0.05) on reaction time (RT) implied a
large effect size on all variables (condition: η2
=0.065, groups: η2
=0.227 and load: η2
=0.169). It was observed that BB
exposure elicits a slow processing speed which worsens RT. The neural correlates suggest activated regions in GWN
and AWN are associated with attentional mechanisms and WM processes. Conclusion: Preliminary findings indicate
both embedded BB has a potential to improve WM performance with the cost of slower processing speed. GWN
provision modulates attentional mechanisms benefiting WM performance and AWN may enhance performance in
extreme ends of WM load.
- Full text:11.2023my1417.pdf
