Impact of auditory stimulation at a frequency of 5 Hz in verbal memory

Actas Esp Psiquiatr. 2008 Nov-Dec;36(6):307-13.

Abstract

Introduction: The objective of this study was to establish whether stimulation at 5 Hz enables immediate words recall.

Method: A total of 20 participants received auditory stimulation at 5 Hz-theta, beta-13 Hz frequencies, white noise (WN) and words.

Results: The results indicate significant differences in the number of recalled words per day depending on the stimulation frequencies. From the third to the fifth day a significant association was shown between increasing numbers of recalled words at 5 Hz compared with the rest of the frequencies. If we take the number of words recorded during the recording of the magnetoencephalography into account, significant differences with greater numbers of words between 5 Hz and between 13 Hz and 5 Hz and WN were found in the second measure. The median frequency only showed significant differences in stimulation at a frequency of 5 Hz.

Conclusion: Auditory stimulation over a long time at a frequency of 5 Hz generates a coupling of brain activity that increases the capacity of immediate verbal memory.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acoustic Stimulation / instrumentation*
  • Adult
  • Brain / physiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetoencephalography
  • Male
  • Memory*
  • Retention, Psychology
  • Vocabulary*