Effects of Music Tempo on the Stress Response to Short Term Memory and Problem Solving Tests
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Date
2018Author
Dias, Derrell
Odmark, Theresa
Payne, Kierstyn
Shanahan, Megan
Publisher
Journal of Advanced Student Sciences (JASS)
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
The aim of this study was to determine the effect of music and music tempo on stress
responses in the body while performing both simple memory tests and tests that require
higher-level cognitive function. Twenty-four participants were randomly assigned to one of two
groups. One group completed three short-term memory tests, each time under the influence of a
different music treatment: light background noise (no music), slow tempo music (70 bpm), and
fast tempo music (140 bpm). The other experimental group followed the same procedure but
with three problem solving tests involving math and logical reasoning. Heart rate, galvanic skin
response, and both alpha and beta brain waves by EEG were measured during the duration of the
testing to quantify physiological signs of stress and mental exertion. A statistical analysis of the
data showed no significant differences in measured stress response for the memory group.
However, alpha wave amplitude significantly differed between the no music and slow music
measurements, and beta wave amplitude significantly differed between the slow music and fast
music measurements for the problem solving groups, indicating a change in brain activity,
concentration, and anxiety. This outcome was unexpected, and more research would be needed
to get a clearer picture of how music tempo affects cognition and the body.
Subject
stress
Heart Rate
memory
music tempo
electrodermal activity (EDA)
electroencephalogram (EEG)
problem solving
Permanent Link
http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1793/81972Description
An article that appeared in JASS, issue 2018