Effects of Natural Sounds on Attention Restoration in Noisy Environment

Study Overview
=================
Brief Summary
-----------------
This study aims to examine whether listening to natural sounds in a noisy (traffic) environment compared to traffic noise only impacts behavioural, cognitive, affective, and physiological markers associated with attention restoration. Attention restoration will be examined as an aspect of cognitive fatigue.

Detailed Description
-----------------
Based on the Attention Restoration Theory (Kaplan, 1995), we hypothesize that listening to natural sounds has restorative effects on attention by supporting greater use of involuntary attention. This generates the prediction that exposure to natural sounds in the context of a noisy environment will have greater restorative effects on attention (i.e., physiological, affect, cognition, and behaviour) as compared to the control group (exposed to noise only). Individual differences (i.e., age, gender, caffeine and food intake, body mass index, skin temperature, noise sensitivity, sleep quality, baseline physiology and behavioural performance) will be examined and accounted for. A cognitive task will be administered at the beginning of the experiment to induce fatigue to examine the restorative effects of natural sounds.

Official Title
-----------------
Effects of Natural Sounds on Attention Restoration in Noisy Environment

Conditions
-----------------
Cognitive Fatigue, Mental Fatigue, Heart Rate Variability, Skin Conductance, Behavioral Performance, Positive and Negative Affect, Inhibition, Working Memory, Perceived Restoration

Intervention / Treatment
-----------------
* Other: Baseline
* Other: Fatigue Manipulation
* Other: Traffic Sound
* Other: Traffic and Masking Sound
* Other: Silence


Participation Criteria
=================
Eligibility Criteria
-----------------
Inclusion Criteria: Singapore-based Non-clinical 18-35years Exclusion Criteria: Individuals with hearing difficulties or failing to meet the minimal threshold for normal hearing Individuals with a history of ear, developmental, neurological, or psychiatric disorder

Ages Eligible for Study
-----------------
Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 35 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
-----------------
All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
-----------------
Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
=================
How is the study designed?
-----------------

Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Active Comparator: Traffic Sound<br>600 seconds of traffic sound | Other: Baseline<br>* 5-min urban park video clip (Presented on a TV)<br>Other: Fatigue Manipulation<br>* 20-min 2-back task (Presented on a computer)<br>Other: Traffic Sound<br>* Active Comparator: Traffic Sound (Played through speakers)<br>|
| Experimental: Traffic and Masking Sounds<br>600 seconds of traffic and masking sound | Other: Baseline<br>* 5-min urban park video clip (Presented on a TV)<br>Other: Fatigue Manipulation<br>* 20-min 2-back task (Presented on a computer)<br>Other: Traffic and Masking Sound<br>* Experimental: Traffic and Masking Sound (Played through speakers)<br>|
| Active Comparator: Silence<br>600 seconds of no sound | Other: Baseline<br>* 5-min urban park video clip (Presented on a TV)<br>Other: Fatigue Manipulation<br>* 20-min 2-back task (Presented on a computer)<br>Other: Silence<br>* No Intervention: No sound (Played through speakers)<br>|

What is the study measuring?
-----------------
Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Reverse Corsi Task (Change) | Change in Span | up to 1 hour before and after sound intervention | 
| Reverse Corsi Task (Change) | Change in Reaction Time | up to 1 hour before and after sound intervention | 
| Go/NoGo Task (Change) | Change in Accuracy | up to 1 hour before and after sound intervention | 
| Go/NoGo Task (Change) | Change in Reaction Time | up to 1 hour before and after sound Intervention | 
| Electrocardiograph (Change) | Change in Heart Rate Variability | up to 1 hour before and after sound intervention | 
| Electrodermal Activity (Change) | Change in Skin Conductance Level | up to 1 hour before and after sound intervention | 
| Electrodermal Activity (Change) | Change in Skin Conductance Response | up to 1 hour before and after sound intervention | 
| Positive and Negative Affect Schedule - Expanded Form (Change) | Change in Positive Affect Score | up to 1 hour before and after sound intervention | 
| Positive and Negative Affect Schedule - Expanded Form (Change) | Change in Negative Affect Score | up to 1 hour before and after sound intervention | 
| Fatigue State Questionnaire (Change) | Change in Fatigue State Questionnaire Score | up to 1 hour before and after sound intervention | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Perceived Restorativeness Soundscape Scale | Perceived Restorativeness Soundscape Scale Score | up to 1 hour after sound Intervention |