# The Efficiency of Binaural Beats on Anxiety and Depression--A Systematic Review
###### Abstract  
Anxiety and depression are two of the most impactful diseases on quality of life and cause significant disability to patients. It burdens the medical system even as a stand-alone pathology or a secondary condition. These conditions can occur secondarily after a patient suffers from other illnesses, such as upper motor neuron lesions. Binaural beats are a new and emerging type of technology that can be used as an adjunct therapy for anxiety and depression as well as in neurologic conditions to some extent. We searched through the MEDLINE, PsychINFO, EMBASE, CENTRAL, ISRCTN, and ICTRP databases to identify studies using binaural beats as therapy for anxiety and depression. Twelve articles were declared eligible to be included in this review. Binaural beats, whether used in the form of pure beats or masked by another sound, have shown better results in alleviating symptoms of anxiety and depression compared to control conditions such as no music or the use of noise-canceling headphones alone. The results suggest that using binaural beats could be a promising and easy-to-use method to help alleviate the symptoms of anxiety and depression. binural beats; anxiety; depression; neurologic disorders +
Footnote †: journal: Medical  
Depression and depressive symptoms are very frequent in patients admitted to the hospital, as these patients suffer from other pathologies compared to the general population [10]. Depression is primarily present in association with oncology and hematology [11], neurological pathologies (e.g., stroke) [12], inflammatory diseases (arthritis) [13], and cognitive impairment [14]. Binaural beats are defined by an auditory illusion created by simultaneously presenting two audio tones with distinct frequencies to each auditory analyzer via stereo headphones. For instance, if a 410 Hz tone is delivered to the right ear and a second tone with a frequency of 400 Hz is presented to the left ear, the resulting binaural beat is represented by the 10 Hz difference between the original tones [15]. In the medical literature, it is believed that this type of binaural beat originates in the medial nucleus of the superior olivary cortex, the first nucleus in the auditory pathway to receive an input from both the auditive analyzers [16]. Binaural beats are characterized across several patterns as follows:  
Delta Pattern: Binaural beats within the delta model typically oscillate at a frequency of 1-4 Hz, correlating with dreamless sleep states [17; 18]. Theta Pattern: Binaural beats that are set according to the theta model operate within a 4-8 Hz frequency range. Theta patterns enhance meditation, foster creativity, and facilitate rapid eye movement (REM) sleep [17; 18]. Alpha Pattern: Binaural beats characterized by the alpha pattern resonate at a frequency range of 8-13 Hz to induce relaxation [17; 18]. Beta Pattern: Binaural beats aligned with the beta pattern exhibit frequencies ranging from 13 to 30 Hz. This range is conducive to promoting concentration and heightened alertness [17; 18]. Gamma Pattern: Frequencies falling within the gamma pattern range from 30 to 70 Hz. These frequencies are conducive to sustaining arousal during wakefulness [17; 18]. The effects of this new technology on anxiety and depression are a point of focus for scientists around the globe. In the specialty literature, several studies guarantee that sound effects cause a reduction in anxiety and depression symptoms [19; 20]. At the same time, there are many reservations regarding this type of therapy. One limitation encountered in this therapy's research is the challenge of assessing its direct impact on brain waves. For a more accurate evaluation, it is essential to apply BB simultaneously with an electroencephalogram (EEG). This literature review was undertaken to examine the impact of binaural beats on anxiety and depression and their potential to modulate neuroplasticity in individuals afflicted with neurological pathologies.