Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis: Do White Noise or Pink Noise Help With Task Performance in Youth With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder or With Elevated Attention Problems?

Objective

Public interest in the potential benefits of white, pink, and brown noise for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has recently mushroomed. White noise contains all frequencies of noise and sounds like static; pink or brown noise has more power in the lower frequencies and may sound, respectively, like rain or a waterfall. This meta-analysis evaluated effects on laboratory tasks in individuals with ADHD or elevated ADHD symptoms.

Method

Eligible studies reported on participants with diagnosis of ADHD or elevated symptoms of ADHD who were assessed in a randomized trial using laboratory tasks intended to measure aspects of attention or academic work involving attention or executive function while exposed to white, pink, and brown noise and compared with a low/no noise condition. Two authors independently reviewed and screened studies for eligibility. A random-effects meta-analysis was conducted with preplanned moderator analyses of age, diagnostic status, and task type. Publication bias was evaluated. The GRADE tool was used to assess certainty of the evidence. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to evaluate robustness.

Results

Studies of children and college-age young adults with ADHD or ADHD symptoms (k = 13, N = 335) yielded a small but statistically significant benefit of white and pink noise on task performance (g = 0.249, 95% CI [0.135, 0.363], p < .0001). No studies of brown noise were identified. Heterogeneity was minimal, and moderators were nonsignificant; results survived sensitivity tests, and no publication bias was identified. In non-ADHD comparison groups (k = 11, N = 335), white and pink noise had a negative effect (g = −0.212, 95% CI [−0.355, −0.069], p = .0036).

Conclusion

White and pink noise provide a small benefit on laboratory attention tasks for individuals with ADHD or high ADHD symptoms, but not for non-ADHD individuals. This article addresses theoretical implications, cautions, risks, and limitations.

Plain language summary

Public interest in the potential benefits of white, pink, and brown noise exposure for enhancing task performance for individuals with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has increased substantially. This systematic review and meta-analysis included 13 studies with 335 participants and found that white/pink noise improved cognitive performance for children and young adults with ADHD or significant ADHD symptoms. In contrast, white/pink noise impaired cognitive performance for individuals without ADHD. Positive effects of noise were small, but these results point to a possible low-cost, low-risk intervention that may benefit youth with ADHD. Additional studies are needed to confirm effects and identify safe and appropriate decibel levels. The potential detrimental effects for individuals without ADHD also requires further study.

Study preregistration information

White Noise for ADHD: A Systematic Review And Meta-analysis; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero; CRD42023393992.