Listening to 'groovy' music boosts brain performance.
Listening to ABBA boosts brain performance
Scientists have discovered that listening to tunes from artists such as ABBA and the Bee Gees can enhance a person's "executive function".
Executive function is a set of mental skills that enables humans to plan, focus attention, remember and multitask but the results were only demonstrated on those who are familiar with groove music.
Lead author Professor Hideaki Soya, from the University of Tsukuba in Japan, said: "The results were surprising.
"We found that groove rhythm enhanced executive function and activity in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex only in participants who reported that the music elicited a strong groove sensation and the sensation of being clear-headed."
The research suggests that music only enhances the brain power of those who have an advanced psychological response to the music.
Professor Soya said: "Our findings indicate that individual differences in psychological responses to groove music modulate the corresponding effects on executive function."