Inhibitory control and working memory predict rhythm production abilities in patients with neurocognitive deficits
November 5th, 2024
Leipzig, Saxony, Germany
Alina S. Löser, Simone Dalla Bella, Peter E. Keller, Arno Villringer, Hellmuth Obrig, Annerose Engel
This study examined the relationship between rhythmic abilities and cognitive functioning in individuals with acquired brain lesions. Better inhibitory control and working memory predicted stronger rhythm production abilities, suggesting that executive functions play an important role in rhythmic motor performance and may inform future rhythm-based rehabilitation approaches.
Neuropsychologia
DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2024.109009
Posted byGrace McKinstry
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Abstract/Description
Background: Deficits in rhythm perception and production are common across neurological, psychiatric, and neurodevelopmental disorders. Previous research has demonstrated links between rhythmic abilities and executive functions in healthy individuals, but these relationships have not been systematically examined in people with neurocognitive deficits resulting from acquired brain lesions.
Methods: Thirty-five adults with neurocognitive impairments caused by acquired brain lesions completed a comprehensive assessment of rhythm perception and production abilities, including beat perception, time perception, synchronization, tapping, and anticipatory timing tasks. Executive functions such as inhibitory control, working memory, and cognitive flexibility were measured using standardized neuropsychological tests. Multiple regression analyses were used to identify cognitive predictors of rhythmic performance while controlling for demographic, clinical, and cognitive confounds.
Results: Better inhibitory control and working memory significantly predicted stronger rhythm production abilities. Lower variability during synchronization tasks was associated with better inhibitory control and working memory, while working memory also predicted greater rhythmic stability and improved anticipatory timing during tempo changes. These relationships remained significant after accounting for age, depression symptoms, manual dexterity, illness duration, cognitive impairment severity, processing speed, verbal learning ability, and musical experience. In contrast, rhythm perception abilities, including beat perception and time perception, were not predicted by executive functions.
Conclusion: Executive functions, particularly inhibitory control and working memory, are closely linked to rhythm production abilities in individuals with neurocognitive deficits. The findings provide insight into the cognitive mechanisms underlying rhythmic behavior and support further investigation of rhythm-based interventions as potential tools for neuropsychological rehabilitation.
Methods: Thirty-five adults with neurocognitive impairments caused by acquired brain lesions completed a comprehensive assessment of rhythm perception and production abilities, including beat perception, time perception, synchronization, tapping, and anticipatory timing tasks. Executive functions such as inhibitory control, working memory, and cognitive flexibility were measured using standardized neuropsychological tests. Multiple regression analyses were used to identify cognitive predictors of rhythmic performance while controlling for demographic, clinical, and cognitive confounds.
Results: Better inhibitory control and working memory significantly predicted stronger rhythm production abilities. Lower variability during synchronization tasks was associated with better inhibitory control and working memory, while working memory also predicted greater rhythmic stability and improved anticipatory timing during tempo changes. These relationships remained significant after accounting for age, depression symptoms, manual dexterity, illness duration, cognitive impairment severity, processing speed, verbal learning ability, and musical experience. In contrast, rhythm perception abilities, including beat perception and time perception, were not predicted by executive functions.
Conclusion: Executive functions, particularly inhibitory control and working memory, are closely linked to rhythm production abilities in individuals with neurocognitive deficits. The findings provide insight into the cognitive mechanisms underlying rhythmic behavior and support further investigation of rhythm-based interventions as potential tools for neuropsychological rehabilitation.
