Auditory driving of the autonomic nervous system: Listening to theta-frequency binaural beats post-exercise increases parasympathetic activation and sympathetic withdrawal

Patrick A McConnell, Brett Froeliger, Eric L Garland, Jeffrey C Ives, Gary A Sforzo, Patrick A McConnell, Brett Froeliger, Eric L Garland, Jeffrey C Ives, Gary A Sforzo

Abstract

Binaural beats are an auditory illusion perceived when two or more pure tones of similar frequencies are presented dichotically through stereo headphones. Although this phenomenon is thought to facilitate state changes (e.g., relaxation), few empirical studies have reported on whether binaural beats produce changes in autonomic arousal. Therefore, the present study investigated the effects of binaural beating on autonomic dynamics [heart rate variability (HRV)] during post-exercise relaxation. Subjects (n = 21; 18-29 years old) participated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study during which binaural beats and placebo were administered over two randomized and counterbalanced sessions (within-subjects repeated-measures design). At the onset of each visit, subjects exercised for 20-min; post-exercise, subjects listened to either binaural beats ('wide-band' theta-frequency binaural beats) or placebo (carrier tones) for 20-min while relaxing alone in a quiet, low-light environment. Dependent variables consisted of high-frequency (HF, reflecting parasympathetic activity), low-frequency (LF, reflecting sympathetic and parasympathetic activity), and LF/HF normalized powers, as well as self-reported relaxation. As compared to the placebo visit, the binaural-beat visit resulted in greater self-reported relaxation, increased parasympathetic activation and increased sympathetic withdrawal. By the end of the 20-min relaxation period there were no observable differences in HRV between binaural-beat and placebo visits, although binaural-beat associated HRV significantly predicted subsequent reported relaxation. Findings suggest that listening to binaural beats may exert an acute influence on both LF and HF components of HRV and may increase subjective feelings of relaxation.

Keywords: auditory driving; autonomic; binaural-beat; exercise; heart rate variability; relaxation.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Testing schedule and data collection time points. Wavy line represents example R–R interval time series over the course of one experimental session, including the following time points: 2-min baseline, 5-min warm-up, 20-min exercise, 5-min cool-down, 2-min post-exercise, 20-min relaxation [heart rate variability sampled during 2-min windows at beginning (RELAX-1), middle (RELAX-2), and last 2-min (RELAX-3) of relaxation].
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Differences in sympathovagal balance (i.e., LF/HF) between binaural-beat and placebo conditions. Error bars represent ±1 SE of the marginal mean. *Condition × Time interaction is significant at p < 0.05. †Simple main effect of Time is significant at p < 0.05 (for binaural-beat condition only). *Interaction is significant at p < 0.05.
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Differences in the trajectory of low-frequency (LF) power (representing a combination of sympathetic and parasympathetic influences) over the course of relaxation between binaural-beat and placebo conditions. Error bars represent ±1 SE of the marginal mean. *Condition × Time interaction is significant at p< 0.05. ηMarginal means are significantly different at p< 0.05. †Simple main effect of time is significant at p < 0.05 (for binaural-beat condition only). **Within-subjects contrast from RELAX-2 to RELAX-3 is significant at p< 0.05.
FIGURE 4
FIGURE 4
Differences in the trajectory of high-frequency (HF) power (representing parasympathetic influence) over the course of relaxation between binaural-beat and placebo conditions. Error bars represent ±1 SE of the marginal mean. †Simple main effect of Time significant at p < 0.05 (for binaural-beat condition only).
FIGURE 5
FIGURE 5
Self-report ratings of perceived relaxation post-treatment (t= 2.248, p = 0.036, d = 0.493). Error bars represent ±1 SE of the marginal mean.
FIGURE 6
FIGURE 6
Sympathovagal balance (LF/HF) mid-relaxation predicts 43% of variance in self-reported ratings of perceived relaxation in binaural-beat but not placebo condition.

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