An Ascending Music Stimulus Program and Hyperactive Children

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between an ascending music stimulus program and hyperactive children. Thirteen males, ages five to eight years, in public school assessed as hyperactive by their teachers using the Conners's Teaching Rating Scale, were rated on activity prior to, during, and after the test period, using the Motor Activity Rating Scale (MARS). It was hypothesized that they would become less active during, rather than before or after, the ascending music stimulus. Analysis of variance revealed a statistically significant increase in activity during the music program, thus rejecting the hypothesis.