The Effect of Theta Binaural Beats on Executive Functions, Heart Rate Variability, Self-Rated Stress and Tiredness

Sammanfattning: Binaural beats (BB) are a phenomenon occurring when two sinus tones of slightly different frequencies are presented separately to each ear, resulting in the perception of a beating sound. BB is believed to cause brainwave (BW) entrainment, inducing different effects depending on their frequency. Theta BW activity around 6 Hz is involved in executive functions (EF) and relaxed states. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of theta BB on heart rate variability (HRV), self-rated stress and tiredness, and EF in terms of short-term memory, working memory (WM), behavioral inhibition and sustained attention. Twenty-seven individuals between 20 and 60 years of age (M = 27) participated. An experiment was conducted with a within-subjects design with two conditions, theta BB and control condition. Data were collected with an electrocardiogram (ECG) to analyze HRV, as well as from cognitive tests, self-rated stress and tiredness. Results indicated no differences between the groups in terms of EF, HRV and self-rated stress. In the control condition a significantly lowerdegree of tiredness was reported compared to the BB condition. In conclusion, these results suggest that theta BB are not efficient for improving EF and reducing stress but could be used to induce tiredness.