2025

Ahokas, J. Riikka

The aim of this dissertation is to investigate how cognitive processes are engaged in rhythm perception and production, and whether other mechanisms, such as physical motor mechanisms, are involved. The putative cognitive effects of perceiving or producing musical rhythm are thus approached from the perspective of the movement of the human body. The involvement of the human central nervous system (CNS) and sensorimotor and motor functions are an integral part of the study design for this dissertation. Although the main subject is music education, the interdisciplinary approach of this dissertation emphasizes theories from neuropsychology, as the area of cognition this thesis is concentrated upon, executive function (EF), is derived from neuropsychology (Diamond, 2013; Goswami, 2019; Miyake et al., 2000). This dissertation aims to contribute to the development of the scientific field that studies the relationship between rhythm perception and cognition by emphasizing the importance of studying the human body as a whole, the function of the entire CNS and sensorimotor functions in cognition, and the role of motor functions in rhythm perception and production. The final synthesis of this thesis consists of three selected peer-reviewed articles. Two of the selected articles discuss the relationship between literacy, related cognitive functions, and rhythm perception (Ahokas et al., 2023 & Ahokas et al., 2024) and the third is a systematic review (Ahokas et al., 2024) which focuses on previous intervention research on rhythm-skill training and its plausible effects on executive function. Furthermore, the future development of research on human rhythm perception is supported by discussing few prospective origins of the lack of rhythm research in the discipline of music and by proposing a greater involvement for rhythm-training experts (musicians, music educators) in interdisciplinary research designs. Research into the plausible links between musical rhythm perception and cognition is still in its early stages, and basic research would benefit greatly from longitudinal studies of neurotypical human populations across the lifespan examining their sensorimotor rhythm abilities in relation to cognitive functioning.