Document Type : Review
Authors
1
Institute for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.
2
Department of Animal Sciences and Marine Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
3
Department of Psychology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
Objective: Binaural beats are an auditory illusion produced when two tones with slightly different frequencies are presented separately to each ear, generating the perception of a third tone equal to the frequency difference. They have been investigated as a non-invasive approach for modulating neural activity and influencing cognitive and behavioural processes, although reported findings remain inconsistent. This scoping review mapped empirical evidence published between 2005 and 2025 on the neurophysiological mechanisms of binaural beats and their reported neural, cognitive, and behavioural outcomes.
Method: Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, systematic searches were conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and PsycINFO. Human empirical studies using binaural beat stimulation and reporting electrophysiological, neuroimaging, or behavioural outcomes were included. Twenty-five studies involving 432 participants met the eligibility criteria.
Results: Reported findings varied considerably across studies, with some demonstrating significant neural or behavioural effects and others reporting null or mixed results. Positive findings were more frequently reported in studies investigating theta- and gamma-frequency stimulation; however, substantial heterogeneity in participant characteristics, stimulation protocols, outcome measures, and study designs precluded conclusions regarding comparative effectiveness or optimal stimulation parameters.
Discussions: Current evidence suggests that binaural beats may influence neural dynamics, but methodological heterogeneity and inconsistent reporting limit firm conclusions. Future research should adopt standardized protocols, adequately powered study designs, and integrated neural and behavioural outcome measures to improve reproducibility and clarify the effects of binaural beat stimulation.
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