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International Conference on Applied Human Factors and Ergonomics

AHFE 2019: Advances in Usability and User Experience pp 93–105Cite as

The Impact of Binaural Beats on User Performance and Emotions Using a BCI for Robot Control

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Part of the book series: Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing ((AISC,volume 972))

Abstract

This research was prompted by claims that certain sounds or music could increase learning abilities and performance. Binaural beating takes place when separate frequencies are introduced into each ear. The brain then strives to bridge the gap by creating a third tone. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of binaural beats on participants’ performance, excitement, engagement, meditation, and frustration while manipulating a robot with a brain-computer interface. Fifty participants were exposed to Alpha, Beta, Delta and Theta binaural tones that changed their dominant brainwaves while they were engaged in the task. A control (no tones) was also established. A mixed methods research design was applied using physiological testing, questionnaires, interviews and observation. The results indicated that different sound frequencies did indeed affect user performance. Sessions where no frequencies were applied (control) were associated with more errors and longer time durations compared to all the other frequencies.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of the Free State, 205 Nelson Mandela Drive, Bloemfontein, South Africa

    Lizette de Wet & Louwrens Potgieter

Authors
  1. Lizette de Wet
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  2. Louwrens Potgieter
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Lizette de Wet .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA

    Tareq Ahram

  2. Catholic University of Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil

    Christianne Falcão

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de Wet, L., Potgieter, L. (2020). The Impact of Binaural Beats on User Performance and Emotions Using a BCI for Robot Control. In: Ahram, T., Falcão, C. (eds) Advances in Usability and User Experience. AHFE 2019. Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, vol 972. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-19135-1_10

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-19135-1_10

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-19134-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-19135-1

  • eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)

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