PP507 - Frequency Pattern Test: Assessing Normative Values for Adults with Musicianship

Abstract:
The study aims to describe temporal processing differences in musicians versus non-musicians by examining differences in overall performance and individual condition (reversals correct; reversals incorrect) performance. 107 participants ages 19-25 were recruited (49 with self-identified music ability). Results of statistical analysis revealed overall proportion correct differences on the FPT between active musicians and inactive musicians, with active musicians’ scores greater than inactive in both conditions: reversals counted correct, and reversals counted incorrect. Results suggest that musicians will yield significantly different (higher) FPT scores whether reversals were counted as incorrect or correct when compared to individuals with no reported musical sophistication.

Summary:
Temporal processing refers to the auditory system’s ability to decipher small, rapid changes of acoustic signals over time (Musiek et al, 2011) and consists of pattern recognition, integration, sequencing, resolution, and masking abilities relating to an acoustic event. To date, most scoring recommendations support that correct contour but incorrect pitch labels, known as reversals (e.g., presentation High-Low-High reported as ‘Low-High-Low’), should be counted incorrect, whereas they could be used as a “qualifier” of performance if better understood. The current study investigated if music instruction influences the normative scores of adult FPT as well as investigated normative data for reversals.  The specific research question(s) included: 1) Are the scores of active musicians skewing normative values of the average adult on the FPT? and 2) Do active musicians make comparable reversal errors to non-musicians? The authors hypothesize that the active musicians will yield significantly different percent correct scores on the FPT than the non-musician group in all conditions (e.g., reversals scored as correct and reversals scored as incorrect; H1), and musicians will yield fewer reversals overall. 

Design
107 participants ages 19-25 were recruited (85 females, 22 males); 49 with self-identified music ability (quantified with the Gold-MSI, Musical sophistication index) and 58 in the control (inactive music) group. Participants completed a basic peripheral hearing screening for exclusion criteria, Goldsmiths musical Sophistication Index (Goldsmiths, University of London) to identify musical experience, and FPT test for their right and left ear (Musiek, 1994). 

Repeated measures ANOVA revealed significant group differences on the FPT between active musician group and inactive musician group, F(1, 105) = 20.70, p < .001. Active musicians produced fewer reversals (LE M= 0.24+/-0.78; RE M=0.20 +/- 0.54) than non-musicians (LE M=1.11 +/-1.38; RE M = 1.32+/- 1.85) regardless of ear tested.  Scores for the FPT were greater than inactive musicians' scores in both conditions: reversals counted as correct, and reversals counted as incorrect. Across groups, however, counting reversals as incorrect did not have a significant impact on the proportion correct when compared with counting reversals as incorrect. Overall, results confirmed Hypotheses 1, 2a, and 2b, that musicians will yield significantly different and higher FPT scores whether reversals were counted as incorrect or correct when compared to individuals with no reported musical sophistication.  

Results suggest that clinicians should make sure they are using the recommended scoring procedures, as scoring reversals as correct does significantly influence the test outcomes. Clinical implications for this study suggest benefit to auditory processing skills in the temporal domain for those with musical training. Musical training may be beneficial for bolstering temporal processing skills in individuals with auditory processing disorders when implemented as a therapeutic approach.