A proposed methodology for measuring the effects of binaural beats in music on concentration, working memory, and calmness following the Garcia-Argibay Protocol

Binaural beats are perceived when two different frequencies are presented dichotically to a listener, causing the perception of a beating sound. They have been associated with beneficial effects on cognitive functions such as learning, concentration, and creativity. Studies however often yield incomparable or inconclusive results, due to inconsistent methodologies. Through a systematic examination, following the Garcia-Argibay Protocol, we aim to provide a more detailed understanding of the effects of binaural beats in music on cognitive functions. Specifically, we will compare auditory stimulation with music containing binaural beats of the alpha and gamma frequencies to a control condition presenting music without binaural beats. We will measure the differential effect of 12 Hz and 40 Hz binaural beats on working memory performance, operationalized through the N-back task, and investigate the impact of these frequencies on concentration levels measured via the global-local task. Lastly, heart rate will be used as a continuous measurement throughout the experiment in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the different frequencies in inducing calmness.