Claim reviewed: White or pink noise may slightly improve laboratory attention-task performance in young people with attention difficulties.
What do we know?
In a meta-analysis of 13 studies, white and pink noise gave a small benefit (g = 0.249) in children and young adults with ADHD or high attention-problem symptoms.
What don't we know?
In people without marked attention difficulties noise slightly worsened performance (g = −0.212), so it cannot be said to improve focus for users in general. Brown noise was never tested. Effects were measured on lab tasks, and appropriate levels are unknown.
Wording we use in the app: The effect of noise on attention varies from person to person: small benefits in some, small harms in others.
Sources (1)
Nigg ve ark. 2024 · Meta-analysis · 13 studies
In children and young adults with ADHD or high attention-problem symptoms (13 studies, 335 people), white and pink noise gave a small benefit on laboratory attention tasks. In comparison groups without these symptoms (11 studies) the effect was small and negative. No studies of brown noise were found.
With attention problems g = 0.249; without g = −0.212
First published online in February 2024. Appropriate sound levels are unknown.
Nigg JT, Bruton A, Kozlowski MB, Johnstone JM, Karalunas SL. Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis: Do White Noise or Pink Noise Help With Task Performance in Youth With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder or With Elevated Attention Problems?. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2024;63(8):778-788. doi:10.1016/j.jaac.2023.12.014 PMID 38428577 Go to source
Last reviewed: 3 October 2026 · Next review: 3 April 2027