Research

We uncover how moving in sync boosts attention and memory through mobile EEG and behavioral research. At the same time, we decode how stress reshapes speech and language processing, and how social support can counteract its effects—paving the way for innovative interventions that strengthen communication and mental well-being. 

We are investigating the effect of synchronized motor activity on cognitive functions in various populations, such as healthy individuals and those with neurological or psychiatric conditions. This project employs behavioral measurements and mobile EEG technology to explore the relationship between synchronized motor activity and cognitive performance, with a specific emphasis on selective attention and verbal long-term memory. For ongoing studies please see  Cora 2.0.

Second, within the study AROUSE , we examine the effects of long-lasting and acute stress on speech processing, as well as the mitigating influence of social support. This line of research employs a range of psychophysiological tools, including ECG, EEG, salivary cortisol analysis, and comprehensive questionnaires, to investigate the complex relationship between stress, social dynamics, and auditory language processing. The implications of our research extend beyond understanding the mechanisms behind stress-induced cognitive changes, as we also aim to develop interventions to improve doctor-patient communication as well as mental well-being.

• Synchronized motor activity & cognition

• Mobile neurophysiology in real-world contexts

• Brain–body coupling under stress

• Stress, speech & language processing

• EEG (ERP und TFA)

• Mobile EEG and ambulatory assessments

• TMS, tDCS

• Development of experimental paradigms

CORA 2.0

In the CORA 2.0 study, we investigate whether synchronized movement—such as on a cycle ergometer, treadmill, or during free walking—facilitates or interferes with cognitive task performance. In addition to measuring task performance, we also record brain activity using EEG.

Cooperations: Prof. Dr. Jochen Kaiser (PI); Dr. Cornelius Abel (MPI für empirische Ästhetik, Kollaborator)

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AROUSE

In the AROUSE project, we investigate how acute and long-term stress affect the body, mind, and cognition. In particular, we are interested in how stress influences speech comprehension—that is, how well people can perceive and process spoken language under stress.

Cooperations: Prof. Dr. Maren Schmidt-Kassow (PI); Prof. Dr. Silke Paulmann (Essex, Kollaboratorin); Prof. Dr. Jochen Kaiser (Kollaborator)

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Fasting Study

In the Fasting Study, we investigate how short-term food deprivation affects stress reactivity. In particular, we examine whether people respond differently to acute stress after 16 hours of fasting (water and unsweetened tea only) compared to when they are in a satiated state.

Cooperations: PD Dr. Silke Matura (PI); Prof. Dr. Michael Plichta

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Group Leader

Prof. Dr. Maren Schmidt-Kassow
E-Mail: schmidt-kassow@med.uni-frankfurt.de

Team Members

Dora Adjei (Administration)
Hannah Heider (student assistant)
Pauline Diehl (student assistant)
Sara Berhane (student assistant)

Funding:

• „The influence of synchronous physical activity on brain plasticity and foreign language
  learning.“ German Research Foundation 03/2010-02/2018
• „The influence of synchronous physical activity on verbal learning” Nachwuchswissenschaftler/innen im Fokus 2010-2011
• “Social Support trotz Social Distancing? Evaluierung eines rhythmisch vibrierenden Smart Gadgets als Stresspuffer“ Else Kröner Fresenius Stiftung (seit 04/2021)

Scholarships:

• Programm „Fast Track“ der Robert Bosch Stiftung (2010-2012)
• Forschungsstipendium der Lienert Stiftung für einen Sommeraufenthalt in dem Labor von Dr. Wilkinson, School of Psychology, Kent University, Canterbury, UK (Juli 2013)
• Main-Campus-educator Stipendium der Stiftung Polytechnische Gesellschaft (2014-2016)

• Timothy White, Promotion Medizin, “Pre-stimulus beta power and auditory motor synchronization”, CORA
• Henk Droste, Promotion Medizin, “Der Einfluss synchroner sportlicher Aktivität auf das Lernen einer Fremdsprache bei adulten ADHS-Patient:innen“, CORA
• Hannah Schad, Promotion Medizin, „Der Einfluss von akutem Stress auf die Emotionsperzeption in der Sprache“, AROUSE
• Carina Fried, Promotion Medizin, „Der Einfluss von digitaler sozialer Unterstützung auf einen akuten psychosozialen Stressor.“ AROUSE
• Carolin Blauth, Promotion Medizin, „Geschlechtsunterschiede in der psychophysiologischen Reaktivität auf einen akuten Stressor: Wirkt digitale soziale Unterstützung als Stresspuffer?“, AROUSE
• Livia Koziol, Promotion Medizin, „Geschlechtsunterschiede in der sprachlichen Emotionsperzeption nach einem akuten Stressor.“, AROUSE
• Clara Lüderwald, Promotion Medizin, tba, AROUSE
• Johanna May, Master Psychologie, tba, AROUSE
• Leona Ollik, Master Psychologie, tba, AROUSE
• Verena Grimm, Promotion Medizin, “Effekt einer intermittierenden Fastenintervention auf die akute Stressreaktion“, Fasten-Studie (zusammen mit PD Dr. Silke Matura)
• Johanna Wulf, Promotion Medizin, “Moderierende Effekte einer Bewegungsintervention auf Stress Recovery“, Fasten-Studie (zusammen mit PD Dr. Silke Matura)
• Antonia Kerner, Promotion Medizin, tba, Fasten-Studie (zusammen mit PD Dr. Silke Matura)
• Annika Hensel, Promotion Psychologie, tba, Fasten-Studie (zusammen mit PD Dr. Silke Matura)

Full publication list: pubmed. Selected publications:

1. Schmidt-Kassow, M.*, Kasper, J.*, Diefenbach, C., & Kaiser, J. (2025). Interindividual differences in auditory processing moderate the effect of auditory-motor coupling on paired-associate learning. Scientific reports, 15(1), 36295. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-23360-w
2. Schmidt-Kassow M, Günther, N, Salim-Latzel, M, Kaiser, J, Paulmann, S (2025). Perceived prolonged stress leads to difficulties in recognizing sadness from voice cues in men but not women, Emotion.
3. Schmidt-Kassow M, Kaiser J. (2023) The brain in motion-cognitive effects of simultaneous motor activity. Front Integr Neurosci. May 25;17:1127310. doi: 10.3389/fnint.2023.1127310. PMID: 37304529; PMCID: PMC102481802.
4. Conradi, N., Abel, C., Frisch, S., Kell, C. A., Kaiser, J., & Schmidt-Kassow, M. (2016). Actively but not passively synchronized motor activity amplifies predictive timing. NeuroImage, 139, 211–217. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2016.06.033
5. Schmidt-Kassow, M., Deusser, M., Thiel, C., Otterbein, S., Montag, C., Reuter, M., Banzer, W., & Kaiser, J. (2013). Physical exercise during encoding improves vocabulary learning in young female adults: a neuroendocrinological study. PloS one, 8(5), e64172. doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0064172

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Strategic partners:

Prof. Dr. Jochen Kaiser, Frankfurt
Prof. Silke Paulmann, Essex, UK
PD Dr. Silke Matura, Frankfurt
PD Dr. Christian Kell, Frankfurt
Dr. Cornelius Abel , MPI for empirical aesthetics, Frankfurt
Prof. Dr. Kirsten Hötting, Hamburg
Prof. Dr. Maria Paula Roncaglia Denissen, Amsterdam
Prof. Dr. Stefan Debener, Oldenburg

Open Science: GitHub