Bhattacharya adds that there need to be more experimental approaches to seeing how entrainment actually works in the brain, like switching up the range of frequencies tested and gauging changes with or without background sound. “We still don’t know, for example, why certain parameters or frequencies are more prone to induce the effect,” he says. And beyond just looking at what happens in the brain, scientists still need to research the neurological connection between alleged behavioral changes and noises. After all, what might be going on in the brain doesn’t necessarily translate to the way we act in a predictable manner. For each participant, ICA decomposition was applied to the full recording of all conditions.
As the use of alternative therapies for various health conditions continues to gain popularity, the question arises: are binaural beats for autism a legitimate treatment option or simply a scam? Binaural beats are auditory illusions created when two slightly different frequencies are played in each ear, supposedly resulting in various effects on the brain.
The Claims
Clearly, the comparison of the performance of vision strategies and eye movements and gaze following in social settings is quantitatively different in children with developmental delays compared to children without delays (43). Obviously, the role of the eyes in gaze holding plays a central role in social cognition that is impaired in ASD children, suggesting a deficiency in the spatiotemporal networks of the brain (44). The worsening of stability and sway with the eyes open in our subjects may be identified as a biomarker for ASD.
Proponents of binaural beats for autism argue that these sound frequencies can help alleviate symptoms such as anxiety, sensory overload, and difficulty with social interactions. It is believed that by listening to specific binaural beats recordings, individuals on the autism spectrum can experience a calming effect and improved focus.
Pre minus Post qEEG by Frequency Band demonstrates topographical statistical distribution of the outcomes after 12 weeks period of treatment in eyes closed condition assessed by comparing the Pre- and Post- qEEG separately for the Delta, Beta and High Beta bands. With the reference to the values on the respective color-coded bar the red indicates larger values on PRE and blue larger values on POST phase. With the reference to the absolute difference values on the respective color-coded bar the red indicates that the color is Red is higher and Blue is lower.
On one of the most popular online video-sharing websites alone, there is therefore a huge number of binaural beats recordings labelled as “genius brain frequency” or “reach super focus”. On the web, there are numerous guidelines on how to use them at home in order to support the process of learning (e.g., when preparing for an exam), solve problems (e.g., when working from home) or carry out other cognitive tasks. They suggest that these activities should be carried out every day while listening to accurately selected binaural beats, which is why the recordings available on the Internet are very long (from several dozen minutes to a dozen hours).
The Reality
After making their choice of the study, the program randomly selected which of the two fluid intelligence tests (Raven’s Progressive Matrices test which takes about an hour or Matrix Reasoning Item Bank test which takes about 40 min) the participant would take. Both tests consist in identifying relationships between abstract shapes and are built in a way that makes it possible to divide them into two parts of equal levels of difficulty. As a result, when taking them under identical conditions, a participant should have the same score on each part (in some studies, a slight improvement in the second part was observed as a practice effect, but it was a trend rather than a significant difference)41,42,43. On the other hand, when using some effective cognitive enhancement interventions, the score on the second part should be considerably better (or improvement in the intervention group should be significantly greater than in the control one)41,44. After taking the first part of the test, the participants were supposed to take a short break after which they would put the headphones on and complete a task checking if they were put on correctly, as well as set the volume comfortably.
For example, Schwarz and Taylor [4] found an ASSR with ten minutes of 40 Hz (gamma frequency) binaural beat stimulation in comparison to no-stimulation conditions. Karino et al. [24] demonstrated BWE for stimulation in the delta (1- to 4-Hz range) and theta frequency bands. These latter findings were corroborated by Seifi Ala et al. [59], who applied 7 Hz binaural beat stimulation and found changes in relative theta power.
While some individuals may report positive experiences with binaural beats for autism, it is essential to approach these claims with caution. There is currently limited scientific evidence to support the effectiveness of binaural beats as a treatment for autism. More research is needed to determine the true impact of these auditory stimuli on the autistic brain.
FAQs
- Are binaural beats safe for individuals with autism?
- Can binaural beats replace traditional therapies for autism?
- How often should binaural beats be used to see results?
In conclusion, the debate over binaural beats for autism remains ongoing. While some individuals may find relief and benefits from listening to these sound frequencies, others may not experience any significant changes. It is crucial to consult with healthcare professionals and conduct thorough research before incorporating binaural beats into an autism treatment plan.
