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Research: BERNARDI and co-authors,
Listed in Issue 133
Abstract
BERNARDI and co-authors, Department of Internal Medicine, IRCCS S Matteo, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy, have measured the effects of music on heart activity, blood circulation, and breathing, and
discovered the importance of silence.
Background
The aim of the study was to assess the potential clinical use, particularly in modulating stress, of changes in the cardiovascular and respiratory systems induced by different styles of music.
Methodology
Measurement of cardiovascular and respiratory variables was performed while 12 practising musicians and 12 control subjects listened to music. After a 5 minute baseline, six different music styles (first for a two minute, then for a four minute track) with a randomly inserted two minute pause in either sequence were presented in random order. Breathing rate, ventilation, carbon dioxide, RR interval, blood pressure, mid-cerebral artery flow velocity, and baroreflex were the main outcome measures.
Results
Breathing, blood pressure, and heart rate increased and mid-cerebral artery flow velocity and baroreflex decreased with faster tempi and simpler rhythmic structures compared with baseline. The pause reduced heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing, even below baseline. An order effect independent of style was evident for mid-cerebral artery flow velocity, indicating a progressive reduction with exposure to music, independent of style. Musicians had greater respiratory sensitivity to the music tempo than did non-musicians.
Conclusion
Music induces an arousal effect, predominantly related to the tempo. Slow or meditative music can induce a relaxing effect; relaxation is particularly evident during a pause.
References
Bernardi L, Porta C, Sleight P. Cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and respiratory changes induced by different types of music in musicians and non-musicians: the importance of silence. Heart 92 (4): 445-452, Apr 2006.
Comment
How interesting a result. This will add to the literature regarding the effects of music in cardiovascular clinical practice.
