The effects of background white noise on memory performance in inattentive school children

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Noise is typically conceived of as being detrimental for cognitive performance; however, a recent computational model based on the concepts of stochastic resonance and dopamine related internal noise postulates that a moderate amount...

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Main Authors: Sikström Sverker, Söderlund Göran BW, Loftesnes Jan M, Sonuga-Barke Edmund J
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2010-09-01
Series:Behavioral and Brain Functions
Online Access:http://www.behavioralandbrainfunctions.com/content/6/1/55
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spelling doaj-014fb9e5617345aaa98101f5808033082020-11-25T00:14:27ZengBMCBehavioral and Brain Functions1744-90812010-09-01615510.1186/1744-9081-6-55The effects of background white noise on memory performance in inattentive school childrenSikström SverkerSöderlund Göran BWLoftesnes Jan MSonuga-Barke Edmund J<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Noise is typically conceived of as being detrimental for cognitive performance; however, a recent computational model based on the concepts of stochastic resonance and dopamine related internal noise postulates that a moderate amount of auditive noise benefit individuals in hypodopaminergic states. On the basis of this model we predicted that inattentive children would be enhanced by adding background white noise while attentive children's performance would deteriorate.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Fifty-one secondary school pupils carried out an episodic verbal free recall test in two noise conditions. In the high noise condition, verb-noun sentences were presented during auditory background noise (white noise, 78 dB), and in the low noise condition sentences were presented without noise.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Exposure to background noise improved performance for inattentive children and worsened performance for attentive children and eliminated episodic memory differences between attentive and inattentive school children.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Consistent with the model, our data show that cognitive performance can be moderated by external background white noise stimulation in a non-clinical group of inattentive participants. This finding needs replicating in a larger sample using more noise levels but if replicated has great practical applications by offering a non-invasive way to improve school results in children with attentional problems.</p> http://www.behavioralandbrainfunctions.com/content/6/1/55
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author Sikström Sverker
Söderlund Göran BW
Loftesnes Jan M
Sonuga-Barke Edmund J
spellingShingle Sikström Sverker
Söderlund Göran BW
Loftesnes Jan M
Sonuga-Barke Edmund J
The effects of background white noise on memory performance in inattentive school children
Behavioral and Brain Functions
author_facet Sikström Sverker
Söderlund Göran BW
Loftesnes Jan M
Sonuga-Barke Edmund J
author_sort Sikström Sverker
title The effects of background white noise on memory performance in inattentive school children
title_short The effects of background white noise on memory performance in inattentive school children
title_full The effects of background white noise on memory performance in inattentive school children
title_fullStr The effects of background white noise on memory performance in inattentive school children
title_full_unstemmed The effects of background white noise on memory performance in inattentive school children
title_sort effects of background white noise on memory performance in inattentive school children
publisher BMC
series Behavioral and Brain Functions
issn 1744-9081
publishDate 2010-09-01
description <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Noise is typically conceived of as being detrimental for cognitive performance; however, a recent computational model based on the concepts of stochastic resonance and dopamine related internal noise postulates that a moderate amount of auditive noise benefit individuals in hypodopaminergic states. On the basis of this model we predicted that inattentive children would be enhanced by adding background white noise while attentive children's performance would deteriorate.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Fifty-one secondary school pupils carried out an episodic verbal free recall test in two noise conditions. In the high noise condition, verb-noun sentences were presented during auditory background noise (white noise, 78 dB), and in the low noise condition sentences were presented without noise.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Exposure to background noise improved performance for inattentive children and worsened performance for attentive children and eliminated episodic memory differences between attentive and inattentive school children.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Consistent with the model, our data show that cognitive performance can be moderated by external background white noise stimulation in a non-clinical group of inattentive participants. This finding needs replicating in a larger sample using more noise levels but if replicated has great practical applications by offering a non-invasive way to improve school results in children with attentional problems.</p>
url http://www.behavioralandbrainfunctions.com/content/6/1/55
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