Acute effects of passive listening to Indian musical scale on blood pressure and heart rate variability among healthy young individuals – a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

51Background: 52 Listening to music is entertaining but also has different health benefits. Music medicine 53 involves passive listening to music, while music therapy involves active music making. Indian 54 music is broadly classified into Hindustani and Carnatic music, each having their own system 55 of musical scales (ragas). Scientific studies of Indian music as an intervention is meagre. 56Current study determines the effect of passive listening to one melodic scale of Indian music 57 on cardiovascular electrophysiological parameters. 58 Methods: After informed consent, healthy individuals aged 18 -30 years, of either gender 59were recruited and randomly divided into 2 groups (n=34 each). Group A was exposed to 60 passive listening to the music intervention [Hindustani melodic scale elaboration (Bhimpalas 61 raga alaap)], while group B received no intervention except for few natural sounds (played 62 once in every 2 minutes). Blood pressure (BP, systolic -SBP; diastolic -DBP) and 63 Electrocardiogram in lead II were recorded with each condition lasting for 10 minutes (pre, 64 during, post). Heart rate variability (HRV) analysis was done. Data was analysed using SPSS 65 20.0 version and p<0.05 was considered significant. 66 Results: 67 Passive listening to the musical scale employed had a unique effect. In group A, the 68 SBP did not change during the intervention but increased insignificantly after the intervention 69 was stopped (P=0.054). The DBP increased in both the groups during intervention and was 70 significant among subjects in group A (P=0.009), with an increase of 1.676 mm Hg (P=0.012) 71 from pre-during and 1.824 mm Hg (P=0.026) from pre-post intervention. On HRV analysis 72 mean NN interval increased and HR reduced in both the groups, but was significant only in 73 group B (P=0.041 and 0.025 respectively). In group A, most of HRV parameters reduced 74 during music intervention, and tended to return towards baseline after intervention, but was 75 statistically significant for Total Power (P=0.031) and Low Frequency (P=0.013) change; while 76 in group B a consistent significant rise in parasympathetic indicators [SDNN, RMSSD, Total 77 power and HF (ms 2 )] over 30 minutes was observed.78 Conclusion: 79 Unique cardiovascular effects were recorded on passive listening to a particular Indian 80 music melodic scale, raga Bhimpalas, wherein, a mild arousal response, was observed. This 81 4could be due to attention being paid to the melodic scale as it was an unfamiliar tune or due to 82 certain notes of this melodic scale, that particularly caused an arousal or excitation response. 83In contrast, the control group had only relaxation response. Exploring electrophysiological 84 effects of different genres, melodic scales and its properties after familiarizing with the music 85 may be illustrative. 86

Channeling of Brain Towards Engaging Sensorimotor Tasks for Inducing Hedonic Pleasure to Alleviate Blood Pressure in Hypertension

“…There are similar reports of a reduction in heart rate after passive listening to music. 41 , 42 Overall, on average, there was a decrease in heart rate, except during active conversation. Analysis of the difference in HR with each task has shown a profound decrease of 3.7 beats per minute in passive listening.…”

Effect of specific melodic scales of Indian music in reducing state and trait anxiety: A randomized clinical trial

“…Healthy participants aged 18-30 years were invited to participate in the study via advertisements on notice boards of various institutions, social media posts, and posters. Participants who responded to the call were sent an online questionnaire via google forms, as explained in (Ubrangala et al, 2020). The online questionnaire contained socio-demographic details, educational background, drug history, present or past history of non-communicable diseases if any, and family history of non-communicable disorders, smoking, and alcohol history.…”