Understanding the neurological mechanism involved in enhanced memory recall task following binaural beat: a pilot study

Modulated theta band frequency with binaural beat stimulation correlates with improved cognitive scores in Alzheimer's patients

Introduction

Alzheimer's disease (AD) affects 50 million individuals worldwide, a number projected to triple by 2050. Due to discomfort through electrical and magnetic neuromodulation technologies, this is the first study to propose the potential of auditory binaural beat (BB) stimulation at an alpha frequency (10 Hz) for enhancing cognitive and neurological outcomes in AD patients.

Methods

Twenty-five patients were divided into the experimental-Group (n = 15) and control-Group (n = 10). Psychometric and neurological assessments were conducted Pre-Treatment (Day 1) and Post-Treatment (Day 14) following consecutive days of binaural beats (BB) or auditory tone stimulation administered from Day 2 to Day 13.

Results

A two-way ANOVA revealed a significant main effect of group (F = 6.087, p = 0.016) and session (F = 3.859, p = 0.024) on MMSE scores, with the experimental group showing significant improvement in MMSE scores (t = 7.33, p = 0.00000012) compared to the control group (p = 0.2306). Paired t-tests revealed a significant reduction in depression scores (DASS-21, t = 1.701, p = 0.0253) in the experimental group, while no significant improvements were noted in the control group. EEG recordings revealed significant changes in α-band, β-band, and γ-band power (p < 0.05). Moreover, The correlation between EEG bands and MMSE subparts showed that increased θ-band power in the experimental group was positively correlated (p < 0.05) with the frontal region during language tasks and in the frontal and central regions during registration and orientation tasks, indicating potential neurocognitive benefits.

Discussion

The results of this research imply that BB stimulation has untapped potential as a non-invasive therapy for patients with AD, hence there is the need for further studies to manage the dementia epidemic.

Brain Insights and Resolution of Youth Depression through Neurotechnology

As per United Nations, the youth constitute 16% of total population globally whereas World Health Organization reported that one in every seven young individual suffers from depression. Among various tested therapeutic solutions for depression management, the efficacy of transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) is still unexplored specifically in young participants. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the cross hemispheric tDCS intervention with a smaller number of sessions in youth population by means of neurological, neuropsychological, and behavioural measures. A total of 50 young participants were recruited comprising of 25 healthy and 25 depressed individuals. The participants of depressed group were randomly assigned to active tDCS and sham tDCS sub groups and completed 150 min of training over 5 consecutive days. The active tDCS group received stimulation of 2 mA over dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Unlike healthy individuals, depressed participants demonstrated reduced difference of brain activity between eyes opened and closed resting conditions which gets restored following the intervention in active group. Additionally, the tDCS intervention effectively modified the previously reduced alpha asymmetry observed in depressed participants compared to healthy individuals. These neurological outcomes may also be supported with enhanced neuropsychological score of depression (t = 5.47, P < .01) in active group. The attention score (t = 5.14, P < .01) and reaction time (t = 2.22, P = .02) evaluated through behavioural measure of Stroop task were also significantly improved in active group post tDCS intervention. The reported outcomes of the study highlighted the ability of tDCS for prompt and efficient youth depression management.

Predicting the effectiveness of binaural beats on working memory

Working memory is vital for short-term information processing. Binaural beats can enhance working memory by improving attention and memory consolidation through neural synchronization. However, individual differences in cognitive and neuronal functioning affect effectiveness of binaural beats, necessitating personalized approaches. This study aimed to develop a machine learning model to predict binaural beats's effectiveness on working memory using electroencephalography. Sixty healthy participants underwent a 5-min electroencephalography recording, an initial working memory evaluation, 15 min of binaural beats stimulation, and a subsequent working memory evaluation using digit span tests of increasing difficulty. Recall accuracy and response times were measured. Differential scores from pre-evaluation and post-evaluation labeled participants as active or inactive to binaural beats stimulation. electroencephalography data, recorded using 14 electrodes, provided brain activity estimates across theta, alpha, beta, and gamma frequency bands, resulting in 56 features (14 channels × 4 bands) for the machine learning model. Several classifiers were tested to identify the most effective model. The weighted K-nearest neighbors model achieved the highest accuracy (90.0%) and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (92.24%). Frontal and parietal electroencephalography channels in theta and alpha bands were crucial for classification. This study's findings offer significant clinical insights, enabling informed interventions and preventing resource inefficiency.

Effects of inaudible Binaural beats on visuospatial memory performance and hemodynamic responses

This study aimed to observe the impact of pure Binaural Beats (BB) stimulation in the inaudible frequency range, excluding the influence of sound, on visuospatial memory. Additionally, we investigated whether the brainwave changes induced by BB stimulation directly affect brain activation. The experiment involved 17 participants (12 males with a mean age of 23.2 ± 1.7 and 5 females with a mean age of 21.0 ± 0.7) in their 20s. Each participant received 10 Hz BB stimulation by presenting frequencies of 18,000 Hz and 18,010 Hz to the left and right ears, respectively. The experiment consisted of Rest phase (5 min), Task phase (5 min), and Rest phase (5 min). The Task phase included conditions where participants performed the task either without BB stimulation "Task only" or with BB stimulation "Task + BB". Visuospatial memory was evaluated using the 3-back task. To observe brain activation, functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) was employed to measure hemodynamic responses in all phases. The cognitive task performance (Accuracy, Reaction time) and oxyhemoglobin (HbO) concentration during the Task phase were compared between conditions with and without BB stimulation using paired t-tests. Results indicated a significantly shorter Reaction time in the Task + BB condition compared to the Task only condition. Moreover, an increase in HbO concentration was observed in the F1-F3, F2-F4, and P2-P4 regions during the Task + BB condition. In conclusion, the observed increase in HbO concentration suggests a positive influence on task performance. This study is meaningful in objectively demonstrating the impact of inaudible BB stimulation on visuospatial memory, utilizing both behavioral data and direct neural activation reflected in hemodynamic responses.

Efficacy of audiovisual neurofeedback training for attention enhancement: a multimodal approach

Attention is a cognitive process that involves focusing mental resources on specific stimuli and plays a fundamental role in perception, learning, memory, and decision-making. Neurofeedback (NF) is a useful technique for improving attention, providing real-time feedback on brain activity in the form of visual or auditory cues, and allowing users to learn to self-regulate their cognitive processes. This study compares the effectiveness of different cues in NF training for attention enhancement through a multimodal approach. We conducted neurological (Quantitative Electroencephalography), neuropsychological (Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale-15), and behavioral (Stroop test) assessments before and after NF training on 36 healthy participants, divided into audiovisual (G1) and visual (G2) groups. Twelve NF training sessions were conducted on alternate days, each consisting of five subsessions, with pre- and post-NF baseline electroencephalographic evaluations using power spectral density. The pre-NF baseline was used for thresholding the NF session using the beta frequency band power. Two-way analysis of variance revealed a significant long-term effect of group (G1/G2) and state (before/after NF) on the behavioral and neuropsychological assessments, with G1 showing significantly higher Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale-15 scores, higher Stroop scores, and lower Stroop reaction times for interaction effects. Moreover, unpaired t -tests to compare voxel-wise standardized low-resolution brain electromagnetic tomography images revealed higher activity of G1 in Brodmann area 40 due to NF training. Neurological assessments show that G1 had better improvement in immediate, short-, and long-term attention. The findings of this study offer a guide for the development of NF training protocols aimed at enhancing attention effectively.

User Perspectives and Psychophysiological Manifestations of Fatigue with Trunk Orthosis for Dystrophinopathy Patients

The chair-mounted passive trunk orthosis (CMPTO) is designed to enhance wheelchair safety for individuals with dystrophinopathy during their daily activities. Given the disease's progressive nature, it is crucial to ensure that assistive devices are carefully evaluated to prevent overexertion. This study aims to assess the CMPTO's user experience and its impact on fatigue-related psychophysiological measurements. We conducted electromyography (EMG) evaluations of four trunk muscles and assessed perceived exertion using the Borg CR-10 scale in 40 healthy subjects while they performed seated maximal reaching tasks with the CMPTO. Additionally, fifteen dystrophinopathy patients evaluated the CMPTO for usability with the System Usability Scale. Paired t-tests were employed to compare the median frequency (MDF) of EMG signals, the Wilcoxon signed-rank test for evaluating exertion, and the Mann-Whitney U test to compare the usability reported by patients to those of healthy subjects. The 4-way ANOVA revealed that MDF patterns were significantly influenced by task orientation for each muscle. The CMPTO did not cause a significant reduction in the MDF. Tasks requiring greater trunk rotation were perceived as more exhaustive. Patients reported acceptable usability with the CMPTO, with scores higher than those of healthy subjects. The CMPTO's usability was comprehensively evaluated in both healthy subjects and patients with dystrophinopathy. Our findings indicate that the CMPTO can be safely used by individuals with dystrophinopathy as an assistive device to improve seated comfort and functional abilities.

Comparative Neurological and Behavioral Assessment of Central and Peripheral Stimulation Technologies for Induced Pain and Cognitive Tasks

Pain is a multifaceted, multisystem disorder that adversely affects neuro-psychological processes. This study compares the effectiveness of central stimulation (transcranial direct current stimulation-tDCS over F3/F4) and peripheral stimulation (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation-TENS over the median nerve) in pain inhibition during a cognitive task in healthy volunteers and to observe potential neuro-cognitive improvements. Eighty healthy participants underwent a comprehensive experimental protocol, including cognitive assessments, the Cold Pressor Test (CPT) for pain induction, and tDCS/TENS administration. EEG recordings were conducted pre- and post-intervention across all conditions. The protocol for this study was categorized into four groups: G1 (control), G2 (TENS), G3 (anodal-tDCS), and G4 (cathodal-tDCS). Paired t-tests (p < 0.05) were conducted to compare Pre-Stage, Post-Stage, and neuromodulation conditions, with t-values providing insights into effect magnitudes. The result showed a reduction in pain intensity with TENS (p = 0.002, t-value = -5.34) and cathodal-tDCS (p = 0.023, t-value = -5.08) and increased pain tolerance with TENS (p = 0.009, t-value = 4.98) and cathodal-tDCS (p = 0.001, t-value = 5.78). Anodal-tDCS (p = 0.041, t-value = 4.86) improved cognitive performance. The EEG analysis revealed distinct neural oscillatory patterns across the groups. Specifically, G2 and G4 showed delta-power reductions, while G3 observed an increase. Moreover, G2 exhibited increased theta-power in the occipital region during CPT and Post-Stages. In the alpha-band, G2, G3, and G4 had reductions Post-Stage, while G1 and G3 increased. Additionally, beta-power increased in the frontal region for G2 and G3, contrasting with a reduction in G4. Furthermore, gamma-power globally increased during CPT1, with G1, G2, and G3 showing reductions Post-Stage, while G4 displayed a global decrease. The findings confirm the efficacy of TENS and tDCS as possible non-drug therapeutic alternatives for cognition with alleviation from pain.

A Review of Binaural Bates and the Brain

Binaural beat (BB), as a non-invasive auditory beat stimulation type, has found its potential applications in cognitive domains. This review presents a proper summary to deepen our understanding of the soundness of the BB technique by looking into its applications, possible mechanisms of action, effectiveness, limitations, and potential side effects. BB has been claimed to improve cognitive and psychological functions such as memory, attention, stress, anxiety, motivation, and confidence. We have also looked into preclinical and clinical research studies that have been performed using BB and proposed changes in the brain following the application of BB stimulations, including EEG changes. This review also presents applications outside the cognitive domain and evaluates BB as a possible treatment method.

Sensory stimulations potentializing digital therapeutics pain control

For the past two decades, using Digital Therapeutics (DTx) to counter painful symptoms has emerged as a novel pain relief strategy. Several studies report that DTx significantly diminish pain while compensating for the limitations of pharmacological analgesics (e.g., addiction, side effects). Virtual reality (VR) is a major component of the most effective DTx for pain reduction. Notably, various stimuli (e.g., auditory, visual) appear to be frequently associated with VR in DTx. This review aims to compare the hypoalgesic power of specific stimuli with or without a VR environment. First, this review will briefly describe VR technology and known elements related to its hypoalgesic effect. Second, it will non-exhaustively list various stimuli known to have a hypoalgesic effect on pain independent of the immersive environment. Finally, this review will focus on studies that investigate a possible potentialized effect on pain reduction of these stimuli in a VR environment.

Effects of inaudible binaural beats on visuospatial memory

OBJECTIVES

Binaural beats are auditory beat stimulation that produces sounds and induces a specific state of brain wave based on the difference in the frequency of stimulation. This study aimed to investigate the effects of inaudible binaural beats on visuospatial memory at 18 000 Hz reference and 10 Hz difference frequencies.

METHODS

Eighteen adult subjects in their twenties were enrolled, including 12 males (mean age: 23.8 ± 1.2) and 6 females (mean age: 22.8 ± 0.8). An auditory stimulator providing 10 Hz binaural beats stimulation via 18 000 Hz to the left and 18 010 Hz to the right ears was used. The experiment consisted of two 5-min phases, including a rest phase and a task phase involving task performance without (Task-only) and with binaural beats stimulation (Task+BB). A 3-back task was used to measure visuospatial memory. Cognitive ability measured by task performance (accuracy and reaction time) with and without binaural beats, as well as variations in alpha power across different brain domains, were compared using paired t-tests.

RESULTS

Compared to the Task-only condition, the Task+BB condition had significantly higher accuracy and significantly shorter reaction time. The electroencephalogram analysis showed that the reduction level in alpha power for the task performance under the Task+BB condition was significantly lower in all brain areas except the frontal, compared to that under the Task-only condition.

CONCLUSION

The significance of this study lies in having verified the independent effects of binaural beats stimulation without any auditory influence, based on visuospatial memory.

Influence of Binaural Beats Stimulation of Gamma Frequency over Memory Performance and EEG Spectral Density

Similar to short-term memory, working memory cannot hold information for a long period of time. Studies have shown that binaural beats (BB) can stimulate the brain through sound, affecting working memory function. Although the literature is not conclusive regarding the effects of BB stimulation (stim) on memory, some studies have shown that gamma-BB stim (40 Hz) can increase attentional focusing and improve visual working memory. To better understand the relationship between BB stim and memory, we collected electroencephalographic data (EEG) from 30 subjects in 3 phases—a baseline, with gamma-BB stim, and control stim—in a rest state, with eyes closed, and while performing memory tasks. Both EEG data and memory task performance were analyzed. The results showed no significant changes in the memory task performance or the EEG data when comparing experimental and control conditions. We concluded that brain entrainment was not achieved with our parameters of gamma-BB stimulation when analyzing EEG power spectral density (PSD) and memory task performance. Hence, we suggest that other aspects of EEG data, such as connectivity and correlations with task performance, should also be analyzed for future studies.