Effects of Dual Tasks Including Gum Chewing on Prefrontal Cortex Activity

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects on prefrontal cortex (PFC) activity of listening to pleasant sounds (PS) while walking, gum chewing (GCh), or performing the dual task of walking and gum chewing at the same time (walking + GCh). A total of 11 healthy adult male volunteers participated in the study (mean age: 29.54 ± 3.37). The block design of the trial consisted of a 30-sec rest, a 60-sec task (target task or control task), and a 30-sec rest. There were three target task conditions: walking, GCh, and the dual task. All of these were performed while listening to PS. The control condition was rest (no exercise) while listening to PS. The outcomes measured and measurements used were PFC activity using two-channel near-infrared spectroscopy and participant self-evaluation of the pleasantness of the experience using the visual analogue scale (VAS). Compared to the control condition, there was significantly greater PFC activation during the GCh and the walking + GCh tasks. Compared to the control condition, GCh and walking + GCh showed significantly greater activation on the VAS measure. In conclusion, listening to PS while GCh or walking + GCh increases PFC activity in the lower central region and induces positive emotional change.