Positive Health Online

Abstract

NORLANDER and colleagues, Department of Psychology, Karlstad University, Sweden. at.norlander@mailbox.swipnet.se investigated the possible psychological effects of the physioacoustic chair, an application of low-frequency sound waves, regarding deductive thinking and creativity in addition to its possible effect upon heart rate .

Background

Methodology

21 men and 21 women were randomly assigned in equal numbers to one of either: 1) a control group; 2) a placebo group, i.e. a group who believed that they underwent a physioacoustic treatment programme which, however, they did not undergo; or 3) a physioacoustic treatment group. Following manipulation, the subjects took 3 psychological tests which assessed fluency and originality, preconscious thinking and deductive thinking in random order. The heart rates of the subjects were registered every minute throughout the entire experiment.

Results

The data demonstrated no significant differences among the groups regarding psychological effects or heart rate .

Conclusion

These results were interpreted to mean that the physioacoustic chair provides a form of relaxation which does not produce effects upon the creative process .

References

Norlander T et al. The physioacoustic method and the creative process. Percept Mot Skills 86 (3 Pt 1): 1091-6 June 1998.