The Effect of Different Acoustic Conditions on 6-Minute Walk Test Performance and Recovery

Study Design: Randomized Cross-Over Study

Objective:

This study aims to compare the acute effects of three different auditory conditions (metronome, binaural beats, and silent control) on 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) performance, post-exercise recovery physiology, and perceived exertion in healthy young adults.

Background:

Auditory-motor coupling mechanisms suggest that rhythmic auditory stimuli can lower the excitation threshold of motor neurons, thereby enhancing walking efficiency. Rhythmic stimuli such as metronomes are known to improve walking speed and coordination. Binaural beats are an auditory stimulus type generated by presenting two tones of slightly different frequencies to each ear, triggering cortical neural entrainment. It has been reported that listening to binaural beats at theta frequency following exercise increases parasympathetic activation and accelerates recovery. This study aims to examine these two auditory stimuli in comparison with a control condition in healthy young adults.

Participants:

Healthy young adults aged 18-35 who can walk independently and have no cardiovascular, pulmonary, neurological, or musculoskeletal conditions. Minimum sample size will be calculated using G\*Power following a pilot study, with a 20% dropout margin added.

Randomization:

All participants will be exposed to all three conditions on separate days. The order of application will be determined by computer-based simple randomization (randomizer.org). Six possible sequence combinations will be used to balance order effects. A washout period of at least 24 hours will be applied between sessions.

Interventions:

Metronome Condition: Each participant's natural walking cadence will be measured, and the metronome tempo will be set at 110% of this baseline value.

Binaural Beats Condition: A carrier frequency of 120 Hz will be delivered to the right ear and 100 Hz to the left ear, generating a 20 Hz binaural beat in the Beta frequency band. Participants will listen for 6 minutes at rest immediately before the walking test.

Control Condition: No auditory stimulus will be applied.

The 6MWT will be conducted in all conditions along a 30-meter flat corridor in accordance with ATS/ERS standards.

Measurement Time Points: Pre-test, immediately post-test, and at the 1st, 3rd, and 5th minutes of the recovery period.

Outcome Measures:

Primary: Total distance covered during 6MWT (meters), walking cadence (steps/min) Secondary: Heart rate, blood pressure, peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO₂), perceived dyspnea, general fatigue, and quadriceps femoris muscle fatigue assessed via the Modified Borg Scale

Statistical Analysis:

One-Way Repeated Measures ANOVA for walking distance and cadence; Two-Way Repeated Measures ANOVA (condition × time) for physiological parameters; Friedman test for Borg scale data; Bonferroni-corrected post-hoc tests where significant differences are found. Significance level set at p\<0.05.

Study Duration: April - June 2026 (3 months)