What type of Music stimulates concentration the most?

According to a survey conducted by LinkedIn and Spotify in 2017, nearly 80% of active French people believe that listening to music while working boosts their productivity. Others think, on the contrary, that it distracts their attention. “Many people swear that music helps them focus, while others prefer absolute silence”explains Professor Psyche Loui, from Northeastern University (United States), who studies the interactions between music and the brain. What does science say about it? Does music really help us stay focused?

Tailor-made music to stimulate the brain

In a study published in the journal Communication BiologyProfessor Loui and his team identified specific musical characteristics intended to stimulate areas of the brain that help us stay on task. In particular, they measured the effectiveness of “rapid modulations” in a piece of music. These adjustments “emphasize sound contrasts, making loud sounds louder and quiet sounds quieter”they explain in a press release, with a musical extract to illustrate their point.

The scientists tested these compositions on around forty participants carrying out computer tasks requiring sustained concentration. Result: music with rapid modulations was more effective than other music or white noise in activating attentional neural networks.

Boost the attention of people with ADHD

The team then increased the intensity of the rapid modulations to observe their effects on participants with attention difficulties, particularly those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It has appeared that this music can regulate the natural oscillations of the brain and promote better neuronal synchronization, particularly in people prone to inattention.

“Music is a form of brain stimulation,” affirms Professor Psyche Loui. If these results prove the effectiveness of tailor-made music, further work could explore their potential in other areas, such as improving sleep or sports performance. In the meantime, the researcher advises opting for music “fast, energetic and wordless, which motivates you without distracting you”.