Effects of music on systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and heart rate: a meta-analysis

Abstract

There are a handful of studies that have been done investigating the effect of music on various vital signs, namely systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and heart rate (HR). Many studies have also assessed effects of music on self-reported anxiety level, attributing some degree of music-induced anxiety relief to the beneficial impacts of music on vital signs. Several randomised studies have shown varying effects of music on these vital parameters and so a metaanalysis was done to compare the effect of music on them. The fixed effects model was used as studies were homogenous. A two-sided alpha error < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Compared to those who did not receive music therapy, those who did receive music therapy had a significantly greater decrease in SBP before and after (difference in means, −2.629, confidence interval (CI), −3.914 to −1.344, P < 0.001), a significantly greater decrease in DBP (difference in means, −1.112, CI, −1.692 to −0.532, P < 0.001), and a significantly greater decrease in HR (difference in means, −3.422, CI, −5.032 to −1.812, P < 0.001).

The effects of music on pulse rate and blood pressure in healthy young adults

“…According to Agrawal et al the song "Weightless" by the Marconi Union band begins with a beat of 60 beats per minute and then falls gradually to 50 beats/minute and found that the heart rate slowly comes down to match the beat. 3 Similar results were also observed by Loomba et al 7 According to them, slow music has a beneficial effect in pre-operative setting and ICU, because it is found to reduce the heart rate, SBP and DBP.…”

The effects of instruction on the singing ability of children ages 5 to 11: A meta-analysis

“…In the same meta-analysis, recorded music had a nominal effect on systolic blood pressure (z = 0.44) and diastolic blood pressure (z = 0.98) across studies (Zhang et al, 2012). In another meta-analysis, however, music therapy was shown to have a small to moderate effect on decreasing systolic and diastolic blood pressure (standard mean difference of -2.63) across studies (Loomba et al, 2012 Music and music therapy have had conflicting results regarding the effects of music on NICU patients (Standley, 2002), older adults and exercise (Clark et al, 2012), and patients with…”

“…Music was shown to decrease heart rate in cancer patients (z = 2.32) (Zhang et al, 2012) and non-cancer patients (standard mean difference of -2.63) (Loomba et al, 2012) but not older adults during exercise routines (z = 0.80) (Clark et al, 2012). In a meta-analysis, Zhang et al (2012) found that recorded music had a large effect across studies on the decrease of respiratory rates in cancer patients (z = 5.16).…”

“…Overall effects of music on physiological topics have included a large effect on oxygen saturation (Standley, 2002), large effects on heart rate (Clark et al, 2012;Loomba et al, 2012;Pelletier, 2004;Zhang et al, 2012), conflicting effects on respiratory rate (Zhang et al, 2012), small to medium effects on blood pressure (Loomba et al, 2012;Zhang et al, 2012), and large effects on interictal epileptic discharge (Dastgheib et al, 2013).…”

Music therapy as an adjuvant therapeutic tool in medical practice: an evidence-based summary

“…This proliferation of high quality scientific research in the field of clinical music therapy has generated significant level I evidence, suggesting that music therapy is capable of providing significant benefits as an adjuvant therapeutic tool in Treatment a wide variety of clinical settings . Furthermore, in the last decade, several meta-analyses and systematic reviews addressing the role of music therapy in specific clinical specialties have been performed [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] . This growing body of evidence provides robust scientific support for the hypothesis that music can positively influence several subjective and physiological variables related to anxiety and pain, significantly decrease pharmacological analgesia and sedative requirements, and make a meaningful improvement in mood and quality of life measures for a variety of patients .…”