The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between an ascending music stimulus program and hyperactive children. Thirteen males, ages five to eight years, in public school assessed as hyperactive by their teachers using the Conners's Teaching Rating Scale, were rated on activity prior to, during, and after the test period, using the Motor Activity Rating Scale (MARS). It was hypothesized that they would become less active during, rather than before or after, the ascending music stimulus. Analysis of variance revealed a statistically significant increase in activity during the music program, thus rejecting the hypothesis.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Abercrombie, M.Some notes on spatial disability; movement, intelligence quotient, and attentiveness. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 1968, 10(2), 206–213.
2.
Berlyne, N.Conflict, arousal and curiosity. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1960.
Campbell, D.One out of twenty: The LD. Music Educators Journal, 1972, 58(8), 38–39.
5.
Clements, S.Minimal brain dysfunction in children. In S. Sapir & A. Nitzburg (Eds.), Children with learning problems. New York: Brunner/Mazel1973.
6.
Conners, C. K., Eisenberg, L., & Barcai, A.The effects of dextroumphetamine on children with learning disabilities and school behavior problems. Archives General Psychiatry, 1967, 17, 478–485.
7.
Conners, C. K.A teacher rating scale for use in drug studies with children. American Journal of Psychiatry, 1969, 126, 884–888.
8.
Douglas, V.Sustained attention and impulse control: Implications for the handicapped child. In J. Swets & L. Elliot (Eds.), Psychology and the handicapped child. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1972.
9.
Downs, F., & Fitzpatrick, J.Preliminary investigation of the reliability and validity of a toll for the assessment of body position and motor activity. Nursing Research, 1976, 25(6), 404–408.
10.
Ellis, D., & Breghause, G.Effects of music on respiration and heart rate. In E. Podolsky (Ed.), Music therapy. New York: Philosophical Library, 1964.
11.
Eyseneck, H.The physiological basis of personality. Springfield, III.: Charles C. Thomas, 1967.
12.
Feingold, B.Hyperkinesis and learning disabilities linked to artificial food flavors and colors. American Journal of Nursing, 1976, 75, 797–803.
13.
Firestone, P., & Douglas, V.The effects of reward and punishment on reaction times and automatic activity in hyperactive and normal children. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 1975, 3(4), 201–216.
14.
Fitzpatrick, J., & Donovan, M.A follow-up study of the reliability and validity of the Motor Activity Rating Scale. Nursing Research, 1979, 28(3), 179–181.
15.
Forehand, R., & Baumeister, A.Effects of variations in auditory and visual stimulation on activity levels of severe mental retardates. American Journal of Mental Deficiency, 1970, 74, 470–474.
16.
Hebb, D. O.Drives and the central nervous system. Psychological Review, 1955, 62, 238–243.
17.
Jones, A.Stimulus-seeking behavior. In J. Zubek (Ed.), Sensory deprivation: Fifteen years of research. New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts, 1969.
18.
Kappelman, M.Basis of learning disorders: Management implications. Child Psychiatric Human Development, 1975, 5, 166–173.
19.
Keenan, J.The ergonomy of music by Muzak. New York: The Muzak Corporation, (1970).
20.
Laufer, M. W., Denhoff, E., & Solomons, G.Hyperkinetic impulse disorder in children's behavior problems. Psychosomatic Medicine, 1957, 19, 38–47.
21.
Minde, K., Lewin, D., Weiss, G., Laviquer, H., Douglas, V., & Sykes, E.The hyperactive child in elementary school: A 5 year controlled follow-up. Exceptional Children, 1971, 38, 215–221.
22.
Myklebust, H., & Boshes, B.Minimal brain damage in children (U. S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare). Washington, D. C: U. S. Government Printing Office, 1969.
23.
Podolosky, R. (Ed.). Music therapy. New York: Philosophical Library, 1954.
24.
Reardon, D., & Bell, F.Musical stimulation and activity levels. American Journal of Mental Deficiency, 1970, 75, 155–156.
25.
Rieber, M.The effect of music on the activity level of children. Psychonomic Science, 1965, 325–326.
26.
Rogers, M.The theoretical basis of nursing. Philadelphia: F. A. Davis, 1970.
27.
Rutter, M., Tizard, J. S., & Whitmore, K.Education, Health and Behavior. New York: Wiley, 1970.
28.
Schoen, M.The psychology of music. New York: The Ronald Press Co., 1940.
29.
Schrag, P., & Divorky, D.The myth of the hyperactive child and other means of child control. New York: Pantheon Books, 1975.
30.
Scott, R.The use of music to reduce hyperactivity in children. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 1970, 40, 677–690.
31.
Sprague, R., Christensen, D. & Werry, J.Experimental psychology and stimulant drugs. Monograph of Pediatrics, 1975.
Strauss, A.Psychopathology and education of brain-injured children. New York: Grune and Stratten, 1955.
34.
Tizard, B.Experimental studies of over-active imbecile children. American Journal of Mental Deficiency, 1968, 72, 583–584.
35.
Washburn, R. A.A simultaneous observation and recording method with specimen records of activity patterns in young children. Psychological Monographs, 1936, 47(2), 74–82.
36.
Wasserman, E., Asch, J., & Snyder, E.A neglected aspect of learning disabilities. Learning Disabilities, 1972, 5, 130–135.
37.
Wender, P.Minimal brain dysfunction in children. New York: Wiley-Interscience, 1971.
38.
Wokoun, W.Vigilance with background music. Aberdeen, Md. U. S.Army Human Engineering Laboratories, 1963.
39.
Wokoun, W.Work performance with music: Instrumentation and frequency response. Aberdeen, Md.: Human Engineering Laboratories, 1968.
40.
Wyatt, S., Langdon, J., & Scott, F.Fatigue and boredom in repetitive work. London: Medical Research Council, 1937.
41.
Zentall, S.Effect of stimulation on activity and task performance in hyperactive children with learning and behavior disorders. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of Pittsburgh, 1974.
42.
Zentall, S.Optimal stimulation as theoretical basis of hyperactivity. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 1975, 45, 549–563.
43.
Zernny, G., & Weiderfeller, E.Effects of music upon G.S.R. of children. Child Development, 1962, 891–896.
