The Effect of Binaural Beats on Reading Fluency and Phase Lag Value in Dyslexic Children

Volume 6, Issue 3
Summer 2025
Pages 11-27

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Institute for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.

2 Faculty of Life Science and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.

3 Department of Psychology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.

4 Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract
Objective: This study investigated the effects of beta- and theta-frequency binaural beats on reading fluency and cortical connectivity, measured via phase lag value (PLV), in children with dyslexia.
Methods: Fifty dyslexic children (aged 7.5–8.3 years) were randomly assigned to receive 12 sessions of beta binaural beats (15 Hz), theta binaural beats (5 Hz), or isochronous tones (control). Reading fluency was assessed using the Nilipour Reading Test at pre-test, post-test, and six-week follow-up. Resting-state EEG was recorded to compute PLV in theta and beta bands.
Results: Results showed significant improvements in reading fluency for the beta group at post-test and follow-up compared to theta and control groups. PLV increases were observed in beta-band fronto-central and left fronto-temporal networks, and theta-band temporo-parietal networks, correlating with enhanced reading performance.
Discussion: These findings suggest that beta binaural beats may enhance phonological processing and executive functions in dyslexia through neural entrainment, offering a non-invasive auditory approach to support reading skills.

Keywords

  • Receive Date 06 June 2025
  • Revise Date 14 August 2025
  • Accept Date 24 September 2025