Exploring the influence of music on cognitive performance in female assembly line workers at a medical device...

The significance of enhancing working conditions for the physical health and performance of workers, particularly female workers, underscores the need for research in this domain and the examination of interventions such as music. Previous studies have yielded diverse outcomes regarding the influence of music on individuals' performance; hence, further research in this area appears imperative. The aim of this study is to explore the impact of music on the cognitive and task performance of female assembly operation operators. This study is an interventional (quasi-experimental) study that involved 81 participants from the female workforce of the medical equipment assembly unit in Isfahan, Iran. The evaluation encompassed task performance, working memory using N-Back test, sustained attention using continues performance test (CPT), degree of sleepiness, and mental fatigue using Flicker Fusion test, along with physiological parameters such as heart rate and blood oxygen level. Participants underwent testing both in the presence of classical music and in a condition without music playback. The provision of background music enhanced the workers' sustained attention and working memory. It led to improved task performance and a reduction in drowsiness. Concerning physiological parameters, it resulted in a slight decrease in heart rate at the end of the work shift and a marginal increase in participants' blood oxygen levels. Background music enhanced working memory (p-value = 0.001), sustained attention (p-value = 0.001), and improved the task performance of workers(p-value = 0.005). Additionally, likely due to increased relaxation, it led to a decrease in heart rate (p-value = 0.001) and an increase in blood oxygen levels (p-value = 0.016). Music also played a role in reducing participants' sleepiness (p-value = 0.001).