Listening to music by working would boost our concentration and our productivity according to some. Researchers wanted to know what musical “genre” had the most effects on the brain.
- Researchers have identified specific musical characteristics intended to stimulate the areas of the brain that help us stay concentrated.
- They found that music with “rapid modulations”, which accentuate sound contrasts, were more effective than other music or white noise to activate the neural networks of attention.
- Scientists advise quick and words -free music to stay focused.
According to a survey Led by LinkedIn and Spotify in 2017, almost 80 % of active French people believe that listening to music by working to boost their productivity. Others believe that she parasites their attention. “Many people swear that music helps them concentrate, while others prefer absolute silence”explains Professor Psyche Loui, of the Northeastern University (United States), who studies the interactions between music and the brain. What does science say? Does music really help us stay concentrated?
Custom music to stimulate the brain
In a study published in the journal BIOLOGY COMMUNICATIONPr Loui and his team identified specific musical characteristics intended to stimulate the areas of the brain that help us stay focused on the task. They notably measured the effectiveness of “Quick modulations” In a piece of music. These adjustments “Accentuate sound contrasts, making sounds stronger and weak sounds weaker”they explain in a press releasewith a musical extract to illustrate their words.
Scientists tested these compositions on around forty participants performing computer tasks requiring sustained concentration. Result: the music with rapid modulations were more effective than other music or white noise to activate the neural attention networks.
Boost the attention of people with ADHD
The team then increased the intensity of rapid modulations to observe their effects on participants with attention difficulties, in particular those with a deficit disorder with or without hyperactivity (ADHD). It appeared that these music can regulate the natural oscillations of the brain and promote better neuronal synchronization, especially in people subject to inattention.
“Music is a form of brain stimulation”, says Pr Psyche Loui. If these results prove the effectiveness of tailor -made music, other works could explore their potential in other areas, such as sleep improvement or sports performance. In the meantime, the researcher advises to opt for music “Fast, energetic and without words, which motivates you without distracting you”.
