Key result
Higher auditory working memory load increases right prefrontal hemodynamics, which is negatively linked to state anxiety.
Why the study?
Previous research has focused on anxiety's relationship with cognitive performance and perceptual load in frontal brain regions, but auditory working memory load and anxiety correlations remain underexplored using fNIRS.
Population
30 participants
Comparison
Auditory n-back task with different memory loads vs passive listening
Design
Cross-sectional study using functional near-infrared spectroscopy
Authors
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fNIRS-detected right prefrontal lateralization correlates with lower state anxiety under high auditory WM load; leaves open portable monitoring applications pending prospective validation.
Cross-Sectional (n=28)
No
Effect estimate: r = -0.575
p-value: p=0.0033
fNIRS can detect hemodynamic changes in the prefrontal cortex related to working memory load and state anxiety, suggesting its potential as a portable tool for evaluating cognitive performance and mood.
Tseng et al. (2018) conducted a cross-sectional in Healthy volunteers (n=28). Auditory working memory load vs. Passive listening was evaluated on Correlation between state anxiety and right lateralized hemodynamic responses (oxy-Hb) in the prefrontal cortex under high working memory load (r = -0.575, p=0.0033). Higher auditory working memory load significantly increased hemodynamic responses in the right prefrontal cortex, and this right lateralization was negatively correlated with state anxiety (r = -0.575, p = 0.0033).
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