The Relationship Between Chewing Gum, Attention and Concentration: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Virgilio, Richard F., The Relationship Between Chewing Gum, Attention and Concentration: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Master of Science (Clinical Research and Education: Family Medicine), July, 2005, 44 pp., 12 tables, bibliography, 23 titles. The purpose of this randomized controlled trial is to determine what relationship, if any, exists between the act of chewing gum and the study subject’s score on a standardized test for attention and concentration. To achieve this goal, a convenience sample of 201 graduate students were randomly assigned to one of three study groups (gum containing sugar, sugarless gum, and no gum control) before taking a standardized test which measured various aspects of attention and concentration. There was no significant difference among subjects who chewed gum and those who did not chew gum with regard to the levels of attention and concentration measured by the standardized test taken during this study.