Eye-movement rhythmicity and reading comprehension

The purpose of these two studies was to examine the rhythmical patterns displayed by subjects with and without reading disabilities while they were reading (Study 1), and to vary rhythmicity through priming and observe the effects on parsing ability using eye-movement and comprehension measures (Study 2). Rhythmicity during silent reading was operationalized by transcribing eye-movement measures into pitch, rhythm, and rests. In Study 1, 17 subjects with reading disabilities and 15 control subjects (M age = 15, male = 60%) parsed 20 flawed and control sentences. In Study 2, 35 control subjects (M age = 21, male = 43%) parsed 9 phrases from familiar songs under one of three rhythm-priming conditions. Results (Study 1) indicated significant differences in rhythm patterns. Subjects with reading disabilities exhibited rhythm variability, unpredictability, and lethargic tempos. In Study 2, significant differences across priming conditions were found, with primed subjects exhibiting improved parsing and comprehension. Rhythm may be an organizational substrate for syntax.