The effect of Low Frequency noise (LFN) and sleep quality on task performance

Bokkers, Jeroen (2022) The effect of Low Frequency noise (LFN) and sleep quality on task performance. Master thesis, Psychology.

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Abstract

Environmental noise is a topic that has been documented extensively. However, very little research has been done on the effects of Low Frequency Noise (LFN). LFN refers to noise that is around (or below) the threshold of human hearing and is emitted by a large number of sources in society. People that are sensitive to LFN report substantial cognitive, psychological and physical complaints. These complaints include but are not limited to fatigue, anxiety, depression, stress and sleep disturbances. Some studies also suggest negative cognitive effects of LFN on memory, attention and response inhibition which are essential for daily functioning. Yet, research on the matter is scarce and shows conflicting results. The goal of this study is therefore to investigate the effect of daily LFN exposure in LFN sensitive individuals on objective measures of memory, attention and response inhibition as well as to explore the hypothesized relationship with sleep quality. In total, 201 participants who were affected by LFN were sampled from the organization “Stichting Laagfrequentgeluid” and by means of snowball sampling. Additionally, 32 control participants were included in the study. Participants completed a self-report questionnaire on sleep quality as well as objective performance tests of memory, attention and response inhibition. Compared to controls, participants in the LFN group experienced significantly reduced self-reported sleep quality and decreased performances on measures of attention (both divided and selective) and memory (both verbal and non-verbal). Yet, these differences disappeared for all but the domain divided attention when comparing norm scores. Furthermore, mediation analysis revealed that reduced self-reported sleep quality could partially explain reduced non-verbal memory performance. This study therefore provides some support for the idea that LFN exposure in LFN sensitive individuals may be linked to decreased sleep quality, memory and attention. However, due to this study’s limitations further research on the topic is needed.

Item Type:	Thesis (Master)
Supervisor name:	Erdelyi, K.H.
Degree programme:	Psychology
Differentiation route:	Clinical Neuropsychology (CN) [Master Psychology]
Date Deposited:	30 Jun 2022 08:53
Last Modified:	30 Jun 2022 08:53
URI:	http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/668

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