Music for concentration: why 'work flow' tracks really boost our productivity

The study was published in the journal PLOS ONE, where the authors describe an experiment with volunteers who were engaged in a certain type of work and simultaneously listened to different types of audio recordings.

Details: Joan Orpella et al, Effects of music advertised to support focus on mood and processing speed, PLOS ONE (2025). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0316047

Background and idea of the experiment

Previous studies have repeatedly shown that music can influence our mood, and more recently there have been claims that the 'right' music can also increase productivity by improving concentration and general well-being. Music streaming services have started to feature "workflow-orientated" playlists, with their creators promising increased efficiency and a better immersion in work.

To test these claims, scientists involved 196 adult volunteers in a study. All participants were asked to perform tests (similar to real work tasks) to the accompaniment of various audio versions: from office noises to specially composed "work flow" playlists.

Key findings

1. Work flow music boosts productivity
   The researchers found that only specially composed tracks for concentration had a statistically significant effect on performance. Other types of audio accompaniment, including office background noises and any other music, did not have the same effect.

2. Faster reactions and improved mood
   Participants who listened to "work flow" showed better results in terms of reaction speed. Moreover, their mood improved, and this group showed the greatest dynamics of improvement. That is, the better a person felt, the higher was his efficiency.

3. Explanation through the "arousal-modal theory"
   The findings of the scientific group support the theory that positive emotions improve performance in almost any task. Music that is correctly matched in rhythm, pitch, energy and moderate dynamics helps people to be less distracted, staying in the "zone" and therefore working better.