Poster #13 - The effect of music training on motoric inhibition in preschoolers

• In Event: 3-003 - Poster Session 09
  In Poster Session: PS 09 Section - Attention, Learning, Memory

Integrative Statement

Studies show positive associations between music lessons and executive functions in children and adults (eg. Degé, Kubicek & Schwarzer, 2011). Furthermore, training studies indicate that music training can enhance motoric inhibition in children (Degé, Patscheke & Schwarzer, submitted; Jaschke, Honing & Scherder, 2018). Until now the musical aspect which leads to this effect is not understood. It might be the case that different musical aspects have differential effects on motoric inhibition. Therefore, in this study we wanted to investigate the differences between a rhythm-based music training and a singing training on motoric inhibition in preschoolers.
Preschoolers (N = 74, 44 female) aged 5 to 6 years (M = 68.5 months, SD = 3.6 months) were randomly assigned into two different treatment groups (rhythm or singing group) or into a control group receiving sports training. All trainings were conducted in small groups containing 5 to 8 children. Trainings lasted 20 weeks and took place in kindergarden 3 times a week for 20 minutes. Motoric inhibition was tested with the “statue”-test from NEPSY-II (Korkmann, Kirk, & Kemp, 2007). Fluid intelligence (CFT; Weiß & Osterland, 2012) as well as family income served as control variables. We ran a mixed ANOVA on motoric inhibition with groups as between-subjects factor and time of testing as within-subjects factor with two levels: pre and post training.
We did not find significant group differences in age, F(2,73) = 2.6, p = .081, gender, χ²(2, N = 74) = 4.90, p = .09, or intelligence F(2,73) = 0.32, p = .730. There was a significant difference between groups for family income F(2,60) = 3.65, p = .032 (however, no post-hoc test reached significance). A mixed ANOVA showed a significant interaction for group x time F(2,68) = 4.18, p = .019, η² = .11. Successive 2x2 ANOVAs revealed a significant group x time interaction comparing rhythm and sports group, F(1,42) = 7.14, p = .011, η² = .15, but no significant interactions comparing singing and sports group or singing and rhythm group (p > .10). Paired t-tests showed a significant improvement from pre to posttest for the rhythm group t(23) = -3.21, p = .004, d = .79 and a marginal significant result for the singing group t(27) = -1.84, p = .077, d = .3. The sports group did not improve motoric inhibition t(21) = .116, p = .909. Independent t-tests for post test indicated a significant difference between the rhythm and the sports group t(42) = 2.34, p = .024, d = .71. Comparisons between the singing and the rhythm group as well as between the singing and the sports group were non-significant (p > .05).
Our results show that a rhythm-based music training enhances motoric inhibition in preschoolers. The improvement of the rhythm group suggests that the motoric component of a music training is the mechanism leading to enhancement of motoric inhibition in children. Further studies should investigate, if a rhythm-based music training can also enhance inhibition in general or if the effect is just on motoric inhibition.

Authors

• Ulrike Frischen, Department of Developmental Psychology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Germany
  Presenting Author

• Gudrun Schwarzer, Department of Developmental Psychology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen
  Non-Presenting Author

• Franziska Degé, Department of Developmental Psychology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Germany
  Non-Presenting Author