EFFECT OF EXERCISE COMBINED WITH MUSIC ON WORKING MEMORY AND MOOD IN YOUNG ADULTS WITH ANXIETY SYMPTOMS
Keywords:
Exercise, Music, Working Memory, Mood, Young Adults, AnxietyAbstract
Exercise has positive effects on cognitive function and mood in young adults. It is unknown, however, if combinations of non-pharmaceutical interventions can produce more benefits than single ones. This study aimed to identify if exercise combined with music improves working memory and mood in young adults with anxiety symptoms more than exercise alone. A randomized controlled trial with pre-test and post-test study design was carried out to test the effect of music with exercise on working memory and mood. We enrolled 32 subjects (age 18-25 years old). Sixteen subjects performed exercise (three times a week for 15 minutes with physiotherapists) with musical accompaniment (experimental group). Three relaxing pieces of music were used. 16 subjects performed the same exercise without music (control group). Working memory was assessed using Dual n-Back task (Level 3) and mood was assessed using Short Version of Mood and Feelings Questionnaire. Two ways mixed-method ANOVA was used to determine the effect of time (pre-test & post-test), groups (experimental & control) and interaction between time and control on working memory and mood. The findings support facilitating effect of music with exercise on working memory performance (p<0.001). No statistically significant difference was found in mood. Exercise combined with music produced more positive effects on working memory in people with anxiety symptoms than exercise alone. We attributed this improvement to the multifaceted nature of combining physical exercise with music.
(Journal of Sports Science and Technology 2021; 21(1):8-20) (Received: 3 Feburary 2021, Revised: 17 March 2021, Accepted: 9 April 2021)
KEY WORDS: Exercise/ Music/ Working Memory/ Mood/ Young Adults/ Anxiety
Corresponding author:Nizar Abdul Majeed KUTTY
Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences,
Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Sungai Long, 43000, Selangor, Malaysia.
E-mail: nizarkualalumpur@gmail.com
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