A Comprehensive Review of Audiovisual Entrainment (AVE) and Its Effects on Psychological Variables

Authors

  • Babita Dwivedi Research Scholar, P.G. Department of Psychology, S.P. University, V.V. Nagar, Gujarat
  • Dr. Samir J. Patel Professor, P.G. Department of Psychology, S.P. University, V.V. Nagar, Gujarat

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31305/rrijm.2025.v10.n11.019

Keywords:

Audiovisual entrainment, brainwave entrainment, psychological variables, stress reduction, anxiety, cognition, relaxation, neurophysiology

Abstract

Audiovisual Entrainment (AVE), a technique that uses rhythmic light–sound stimulation to synchronize brainwave activity, has gained increasing attention as a non-invasive method for enhancing psychological well-being. The present review synthesizes 200 empirical studies published between 1960 and 2025 to examine the effects of AVE on key psychological variables, including stress, anxiety, mood, cognition, sleep, relaxation, and neurophysiological functioning. Studies were included based on predefined criteria involving the use of combined auditory-visual rhythmic stimulation and the measurement of psychological or neurophysiological outcomes. Research spanned experimental, quasi-experimental, clinical, correlational, and review-based methodologies across international and Indian settings. Findings consistently indicate that AVE produces significant reductions in stress and anxiety, enhances emotional regulation, improves attention and memory, supports sleep quality, and increases alpha-theta activity and neural coherence. Collectively, the evidence demonstrates AVE’s effectiveness as a cost-effective, accessible, and scientifically supported intervention for psychological enhancement. The review highlights the need for standardized protocols, larger samples, and long-term follow-up studies to strengthen future applications of AVE in clinical, educational, and wellness domains.

Author Biographies

Babita Dwivedi, Research Scholar, P.G. Department of Psychology, S.P. University, V.V. Nagar, Gujarat

Babita Dwivedi is a Counsellor, currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Psychology at Sardar Patel University, Anand. She holds an M.A. in Clinical Psychology from Gujarat University. Her professional experience spans leading healthcare institutions, including Apollo CBCC–Apollo Hospitals Gandhinagar, HCG Hospital, and Neuron OPD, Ahmedabad, where she conducted psychological assessments, clinical counselling, and therapeutic interventions for patients with psychological conditions. She presently works as a freelance psychologist and serves as a Visiting Professional Psychologist at the Army Cantonment, Ahmedabad. Her academic and professional contributions include presentations of case studies at national conferences and also at Research Scholar’s meet, organized by Sardar Patel University, V V Nagar, Anand. She is also a Committee Member of the Gujarat Spastic Society, actively participating in community-based rehabilitation initiatives which includes counselling of parents.

Dr. Samir J. Patel, Professor, P.G. Department of Psychology, S.P. University, V.V. Nagar, Gujarat

Samir J. Patel is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at Sardar Patel University, Vallabh Vidyanagar, India. He earned his B.A. and M.A. degrees in Psychology from Sardar Patel University and completed his Ph.D. in 1994, with a dissertation titled “A Comparative Study of Rorschach Responses among Married and Unmarried Women.” With over 34 years of academic and research experience, he has contributed extensively to the field through 14 research publications, one completed research project, and over 50 conference presentations, chairing, and panel engagements. He has successfully guided 22 M.Phil. and 33 Ph.D. scholars, with 1 doctoral candidate currently under his supervision. A former Syndicate Member of Sardar Patel University, he has also delivered talks on All India Radio, organized academic programmes, and served in various governmental and non-governmental committees, including as an RCI inspection team member.

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Published

15-11-2025

How to Cite

Dwivedi, B., & Patel, S. J. (2025). A Comprehensive Review of Audiovisual Entrainment (AVE) and Its Effects on Psychological Variables. RESEARCH REVIEW International Journal of Multidisciplinary, 10(11), 196–204. https://doi.org/10.31305/rrijm.2025.v10.n11.019

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Vol. 10 No. 11 (2025): RESEARCH REVIEW International Journal of Multidisciplinary

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This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0).