EEG Power Band Asymmetries in Children with and without Classical Ensemble Music Training

Abstract

Much evidence shows that music training influences the development of functional brain organization and cerebral asymmetry in an auditory-motor integrative neural system also associated with language and speech. Such overlap suggests that music training could be used for interventions in disadvantaged populations. Accordingly, we investigated neurofunctional changes associated with the influence of socially based classical ensemble music (CEM) training on executive auditory functions of children from low socioeconomic status (LSES), as compared to untrained counterparts. We conducted a novel ROI-focused reanalysis of stimulus-locked event-related electroencephalographic (EEG) band power data previously recorded from fifteen LSES children (9–10 years), with and without CEM, while performing a series of auditory Go/No-Go trials (involving 1100 Hz or 2000 Hz tones). An analysis of collapsed Alpha2, Beta1, Beta2, Delta, and Theta EEG bands showed significant differences in increased and decreased left asymmetry between the CEM and the Comparison group in key frontal and central electrodes typically associated with learning music. Overall, in Go trials, the CEM group responded more quickly and accurately. Linear regression analyses revealed both positive and negative correlations between left hemispheric asymmetry and behavioral measures of PPVT score, auditory sensitivity, Go accuracy, and reaction times. The pattern of results suggests that tone frequency and EEG asymmetries may be attributable to a shift to left lateralization as a byproduct of CEM. Our findings suggest that left hemispheric laterality associated with ensemble music training may improve the efficiency of productive language processing and, accordingly, may be considered as a supportive intervention for LSES children and youth.

More Evidence That Ensemble Music Training Influences Children’s Neurobehavioral Correlates of Auditory Executive Attention

“…The present findings, however, do add to our previous work examining other aspects of the effects of this particular music instruction program [8,54]. This study further contributes to the converging evidence that socially-based intensive music training such as OrKidstra can potentially benefit children's brain and developmental plasticity.…”

“…One possible explanation is that with music training, pitch perception changes from comparing pitches to each other to evaluating the go or no-go response to evaluating pitch elements [8,51]. With this interpretation, our results indicate that music training alters the processing of pitches and, taken together with earlier ERP signatures, might explain the behavioral effects of faster RTs.…”

“…(1) Perceptualattentional processing: ERPs were expected to support behavioural outcomes with children with OrKidstra demonstrating greater amplitudes on the early processing waveforms N1 and N2. A previous study with samples from this population [8] has shown some evidence compatible with this prediction based on spectral analysis (i.e., EEG Power) but no direct evidence in the time domain (i.e., ERPs). Although most of the studies have focused on these early waveforms in the No-Go trials concerning the hypothesis that N1-N2 reflect aspects of response inhibition or conflict monitoring [9][10][11][12][13], there is also a small behavioral and ERP literature which focused on the role of these signatures in the Go trials.…”

Promise for Personalized Diagnosis? Assessing the Precision of Wireless Consumer-Grade Electroencephalography across Mental States

“…However, most recently, hybrid approaches have also been devised in which time and frequency domain EEG features are examined as covariates (for example see [43][44][45][46]), particularly, to investigate spectral changes associated with stimulus or task time-course, as opposed to resting brain activity. In line with these approaches, in the present study we focused on two EEG event-locked or task-related features: Event-related band frequency amplitude and power.…”

Strengthening Music Learning at SMKN

“…The training was able to streamline language literacy. In addition, as a result, children and adolescents respond more quickly and accurately (Byczynski et al, 2022). Leon R. de Bruin sees ensembles as useful for learning, improvising student communities with outcomes, e.g., confidence, reflective practice, sound creativity (de Bruin, 2021; Zieliński et al, 2022).…”