The Impact of Beta Binaural Beats
on Working Memory Capacity
HUSNA MD ISA
58647
PROF MADYA DR. NORSIAH FAUZAN
Introduction
Binaural beats stimulation is two pure tone with similar frequency that are being presented
separately into each ear that result the brain will perceive the difference frequency of these two
tones.
Working memory capacity refers to the ability to control, sustained and manipulates
information despite having a distraction or interference.
Following Frequency Response (FFR) – the brain has a tendency to change the current
brainwaves pattern into the frequency of binaural stimulation.
Research Objective
General objective:
 To study the effect of listening to beta binaural betas on ability to hold and manipulate information in
working memory capacity.
Specific objective:
 To study what and how the brain response when listening to beta binaural beats.
 To study the brain parts that are stimulated by the beta binaural beats.
 To investigate the after effect of listening to beta binaural beats in storing and maintain information in
memory span task.
Problem Statement
Binaural beats with beta frequency is associated with improvement of working memory
capacity that leads to higher performance in other cognitive processes such problem solving
skill, decision making and judgment.
However, past studies on effect of beta binaural beats on working memory capacity are not
enough to support the theory above. According to Garcia-Arglbay, Santed and Reales (2018),
most researches that were done in between 2007 until 2017:
 Only eight researches investigated the effect on long- and short-term memory.
 Four studies on effects of binaural beats on attention.
Research Hypothesis
Ho: The frequency of beta binaural beats stimulus significantly affect the brainwaves pattern.
Ho: There is a significant difference in score of memory span task before and after listening to
beta binaural beats frequency.
Ho: There is a significant difference in score of memory span task between group of
participants that listen to beta binaural beats stimulation and participants who are not
listening to auditory stimulation.
Literature Review
Article
Description
Methodology
Year of
Published
Summary
The effect of
binaural beats
stimulation in
attention and EEG
To explore the potential of
binaural beats in tasks that
required focus and concentration.
Quantitative
study
2012
- There is no significant difference in cognitive test.
- There is no significant difference in brain activity.
- The result show no evidence for improvements in
cognitive function also no changes in brain activity
after listening to binaural beats.
Alpha and Beta
Brainwave
Characteristics to
Binaural Beat
Treatment
Explain the effect of 10 Hz binaural Mixed method
beat towards alpha and beta
waves that can reduce stress
2013
- After listening to binaural beats (10Hz), alpha
waves while beta waves decrease that indicates
the brain is in relaxation.
Impact of binaural
beats on creativity
Investigating the effect of alpha
and gamma binaural beats on
overall creative thinking
Quantitative
study
2013
- There is no evidence for any influenced on binaural
beats on convergent thinking.
- There is no difference between alpha and gamma
on divergent thinking.
- Binaural beats cannot be considered as all-around
tools for cognitive enhancement.
The effect of
binaural beats on
working memory
capacity
Demonstrate how binaural beats
can improve working memory
capacity based on the AOSPAN
test.
Quantitative
study
2015
- Alpha binaural beats had a temporary positive
effect on the capacity of working memory where
participants achieved a significance increases in the
capacity of their working memory compare to the
participants in control group.
Article
Objective
Methodology
Year of
Published
Summary
More attentional
focusing through
binaural betas: evidence
from the global-local
task
Investigate whether binaural
beats impact attentional
focusing and top down
control over irrelevant
information
Quantitative
study
2017
-
Binaural auditory beats
affect long term
memory
To determine the effect of
binaural auditory beats on
long term memory
Quantitative
study
2017
-
Beta binaural auditory beats result in greater
word recall and recognition compare to the
participants who listen to alpha binaural auditory
beats.
Analysis of EEG activity
in response to binaural
beats with different
frequencies
To track any changes in brain
waves using EEG during
binaural beats stimulation
were presented
Quantitative
study
2014
-
The brainwaves pattern did not change according
to the binaural beat's stimulation presented.
therefore, relative power(RP) were used to
indicate changes in strength of brainwaves.
Tracking EEG changes in
response to alpha and
beta binaural beats
To investigate any changes in
EEG throughout alpha and
beta binaural stimulation.
Quantitative
study
2012
-
There were no effect of beta and alpha binaural
beats frequency on the brainwaves pattern
recorded using EEG in both left and right
hemisphere.
-
Gamma frequency binaural betas do not lead to
engagement in suppression of irrelevant
information in working memory.
High frequency of binaural beats have a
significant impact on the global precedence effect
Research Methodology
Type of Research
Quantitative study
Research Sample
 24 students from UNIMAS are selected randomly
 Age of participant is 21 years old and above (adult age group)
Instrumental
 Quantitative Electroencephalogram (qEEG) to detect brain region that respond to
beta binaural beats stimulation and changes in brainwaves pattern during
listening period of auditory stimulation
 Memory span task: to measure working memory capacity
 Beta binaural beats stimulation audio
Research Methodology
Procedure of data collection
I. Group A
 Pre-test : participants are required to take memory span task.
 Rest-period: participants are presented with beta binaural beats for 15
minutes using headphones.
 Post-test: participants are required to retake memory span task.
II. Group B
 Pre-test: participants are required to take memory span task.
 Rest-period: participants will be asked to remain sited and relax for 15
minutes.
 Post-test: participants are required to retake memory span task.
Data collection analysis
• Independent Sample T-test
• Paired Sample T-Test
• Microsoft Excel