The influence of music on static posturography

Abstract

It is well known that high intensity sounds modify balance by activating the saccule, which is sensitive to both vestibular and acoustic stimuli. Few studies have examined the effects of music on the postural responses in healthy subjects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of different types of music (Mozart, Köhler, Köhler with a carrier of 12 KHz and subjects' favourite music) on twelve healthy subjects standing on a stabilometric platform. With each type of music, all subjects underwent static posturography with eyes opened and eyes closed, and with and without foam pads. We evaluated the length and the surface of body sway and the correlation between them, and we analyzed the visual, vestibular and somatosensory sub-components. Listening to different types of music did not significantly change the stabilometric variables, with the exception of listening to Mozart's Jupiter, which caused a significant reduction in the visual component with a consequent increase in both the vestibular and somatosensory inputs. Further studies are needed to determine the effect of Mozart's music in modifying the sensory strategy in the rehabilitation of patients with vestibular impairments.

Listening to the Shepard-Risset Glissando: the Relationship between Emotional Response, Disruption of Equilibrium, and Personality

“…To the best of our knowledge our study is the first to show that musical stimuli can provoke a disturbance of equilibrium. Destabilizing effects of sound have previously been reported in relation to acoustic stimuli such as clicks or pure tones (Sakellari and Soames, 1996 ; Forti et al, 2010 ), but not for musical stimuli. Instead, music listening has been shown to improve balance maintenance.…”

Vestibular Findings in Military Band Musicians

“…Forti et al evaluated the postural responses through a stabilometric platform in 12 patients who listened to various types of music and observed a significant reduction in the visual component with a consequent increase of the oscillation in vestibular and somatosensory components while listening to the music of Mozart. 13 …”

“…According to Forti et al, high sound pressure levels alter balance through the activation of the saccule, which is sensitive to both vestibular and acoustic stimuli. 13 …”

“… 12 Forti et al evaluated the postural responses through a stabilometric platform in individuals who were subjected to different types of music, and a significant reduction of the visual component with a consequent increase of the oscillation in the buccal and somatosensory components to the music of Mozart was observed. 13 Hartman assessed college students submitted to disco and observed vertigo, tinnitus, headache, nausea, and earache in addition to hearing damage. 14…”

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