Impact of Biophilic Sounds on Students with ADHD Symptoms: Basis for Ambient Retreat for Concentration (ARC)
Sher Lenard D. Dela Peña1, Alyssa Ashley D. Frago2, Noelyn R. Lutrania3,
Van Hanry O. Silva4, Krisha Marie C. Subing Subing5
https://orcid.org/0009-0005-5885-6641, https://orcid.org/0009-0002-2675-13742, https://orcid.org/0009-0005-9398-51483, https://orcid.org/ 0009-0004-4119-10584,
https://orcid.org/ 0009-0009-2451-64945
2121325@ub.edu.ph | 2120864@ub.edu.ph | 2021027@ub.edu.ph | 2120744@ub.edu.ph
University of Batangas, Lipa City
Gov. Feliciano Leviste Road, Lipa City, Philippines
DOI: https://doi.org/10.54476/ioer-imrj/066786
ABSTRACT
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is characterized by symptoms such as inattention and difficulties with short-term memory, which can significantly hinder academic performance. Traditional study spaces, often designed without attention to sensory needs, can inadvertently exacerbate these difficulties. Emerging research highlights the potential benefits of biophilic sounds—an approach that integrates sounds of nature into built environments—to enhance attention and improve short-term memory. This study examines the impact of biophilic sounds, such as flowing water, birdsong, and rustling leaves, on mitigating inattention and improving short-term memory retention in students with ADHD symptoms. The findings aim to inform the development of an Ambient Retreat For Concentration (ARC) optimized for these needs. Correlated to this, it used a quasi-experimental method with 16 participants selected through the ADHD self-report scale. To identify the participants, the researchers utilized a purposive sampling method where participants are chosen based on the set criteria. These participants were divided into two groups: experimental and control. Both groups completed two tests, the Digit Span Test and Picture Span Test, during the pre-test and post-test phases. To analyze the data, the Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare the pre-test and post-test scores within each group. The Mann-Whitney U test was utilized to identify significant differences in post-test scores between the experimental and control groups. The control group showed no differences in attention in both pretest and posttest. While the pretest showed no significant change in memory, the posttest revealed a slight improvement after exposure to biophilic sounds. Overall, the sounds had a minimal effect on short-term memory, with no notable influence on attention. Findings suggest that nature sounds may improve short-term memory by reducing environmental distractions, but do not significantly enhance attention. The results are utilized to design an Ambient Retreat for Concentration (ARC) to help students improve their short-term memory while studying.
Keywords: students with ADHD symptoms, biophilic sounds, short-term memory, attention, Philippines
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