The Effects of White Noise on Attentional Performance and On-Task Behaviors in Preschoolers with ADHD

Summary & key facts

Researchers tested about 100 preschool children, half with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and half developing typically, to see how constant background white noise affected their attention and classroom behaviors. Children did a computer attention test while observers also recorded their on-task actions. For the children with ADHD, white noise helped them notice targets better, cut down on missed answers, and lowered hyperactive behaviors. For the typically developing children, the same noise did not help and felt like a burden. The study suggests white noise might be a useful non-drug way to help some preschoolers with ADHD, but this is one study and more work is needed.

Key facts:

• About 100 preschoolers took part in the study, with 52 children who had ADHD and 52 children who were developing typically.
• Children completed a computerized attention test that measured things like how well they could tell targets from non-targets, how often they missed targets, and how fast they reacted.
• Observers also watched the children and recorded on-task behaviors, including signs of hyperactivity.
• For the children with ADHD, playing white noise improved their ability to tell targets from non-targets, reduced how often they missed targets, and reduced visible hyperactive behaviors.
• For children developing typically, the same white noise did not improve performance and was reported to be a burden.
• The authors describe white noise as a potential non-pharmacological option for preschoolers with ADHD, while noting results come from this single study.

Abstract

Several models have tentatively associated improving attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms with arousal and external environmental stimulation. In order to further clarify the relationships between ADHD symptoms, arousal, and external stimulation, this study focused on exploring the "simultaneous" effects of white noise on intrinsic attentional performance and extrinsic on-task behaviors in preschoolers with and without ADHD. By using the computerized task (K-CPT 2), 104 preschoolers, including 52 ADHD children and 52 typically developing (TD) children, were tested and analyzed for their intrinsic attention (such as detectability, omission errors, commission errors, and reaction time). Simultaneously, these preschoolers' external on-task behaviors were recorded for analysis through systematic observation. This study showed that white noise could effectively improve attention performance, including enhancing the ability to differentiate non-targets from targets and decreasing omission errors. It could also reduce the extrinsic hyperactive behaviors of preschoolers with ADHD. The findings of this study highlighted that white noise stimulation is a beneficial non-pharmacological treatment for preschoolers with ADHD. In contrast, for TD preschoolers, the results of this study showed that the external white noise stimuli were not only unhelpful but also a burden.

Topics

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Children's Physical and Motor Development Cognitive Abilities and Testing

Categories

Health Sciences Medicine Psychiatry and Mental health

Tags

Artificial intelligence Attention deficits Audiology Biochemistry Chemistry Cognition Cognitive psychology Computer science Developmental psychology Economics Gene Image (mathematics) Management Medicine Noise (video) Psychiatry Psychology Selective attention Task (project management) Telecommunications White (mutation) White noise

Conditions & symptoms

ADHD Difficulty focusing