ABSTRACT Background: Although binaural beats have been widely studied, the findings regarding their effectiveness are still mixed. This study examined the effects of theta-frequency (7.5 Hz) binaural beats on the behavioral inhibition/activation systems and sensation seeking in individuals with opioid dependence, a group often characterized by difficulties in behavioral regulation. Methods: This quasi-experimental study used a pretest–posttest design with a control group. Thirty participants were recruited from outpatient addiction clinics in Tabriz, Iran, and randomly assigned to either the experimental or control group. All participants completed the Sensation Seeking Scale and the Behavioral Inhibition/Activation Scales (BIS/BAS) questionnaire before and after the intervention. The experimental group received eight 20-min sessions of theta-frequency binaural beat stimulation via headphones in a controlled environment. Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance in R, with baseline scores controlled. Results: The results indicated a significant effect of the intervention on behavioral inhibition (BIS) scores (F 1, 27 = 5.42, P = 0.028, η 2 = 0.167). However, no significant differences were found between the groups in sensation seeking scores (F 1, 27 = 1.05, P = 0.314, η 2 = 0.038). Conclusion: Overall, the findings suggest that theta-frequency binaural beats may have a limited effect on behavioral inhibition, while they do not appear to significantly influence sensation seeking in opioid-dependent individuals. Further studies with larger samples and longer follow-up periods are needed to better understand these effects.
Oskouei et al. (Thu,) studied this question.