Faculty of Physics - University of Bucharest

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FACULTY OF PHYSICS

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2025-08-20 23:00

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Conference: Bucharest University Faculty of Physics 2025 Meeting

Section: Biophysics; Medical Physics

Title:

Creating paradigms using PsychoPy for cognitive stimulation

Authors:

Alexandra CĂPITĂNESCU, Constantin PISTOL

Affiliation:

Faculty of Physics, University of Bucharest

E-mail

allemariacaptain@gmail.com , costipistol@gmail.com

Keywords:

cognition, stimulation, EEG, PsychoPy

Abstract:

This study explores cognitive stimulation through experimental paradigms developed using PsychoPy software, with a focus on how music affects cognitive task performance. The main objectives are: creating a specific experimental paradigm for cognitive stimulation, analyzing the effects of music on task execution, and evaluating the results using EEG (electroencephalography). Cognitive stimulation refers to the activation and enhancement of functions such as memory, attention, perception, and decision-making. It is particularly useful for individuals with neurological conditions. Music is considered a complex auditory stimulus that can either support or interfere with cognitive performance, depending on its tempo, complexity, and the listener’s emotional connection to it. The experimental paradigm was developed in PsychoPy, a Python-based tool, and is structured as a Flanker-style visual task. Participants must identify the direction of a central arrow while ignoring distracting adjacent arrows. The experiment is conducted under two auditory conditions: one involving slow, classical music, and another with fast-paced, rhythmic music. Two participants took part in the study — one musician and one non-musician — and their brain activity was monitored using an EEG system to observe real-time cognitive processing. The EEG allowed precise synchronization between stimulus presentation and neural responses. The results show that participants responded differently depending on their musical background and the type of music they listened to. In some cases, music enhanced focus and performance, while in others it caused delays or distraction. The findings underline the importance of individual differences in auditory processing and support the idea that background music can modulate visual attention and reaction time during cognitive tasks. This work provides a practical foundation for future studies on technology-assisted cognitive stimulation, combining experimental psychology, neuroscience, and human-computer interaction.

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