What makes music relaxing? An investigation into musical elements

Abstract

Research on specific qualities of music used for relaxation has shown conflicting results. The use of different familiar or pre-composed pieces, with many simultaneous changes, might limit the ability to discriminate which musical element is responsible for the relaxation response. To address the latter, we examined the relaxing effects of music on three psychophysiological measures (heart rate, respiration rate, and skin conductance) with one original piece of music, and three modified versions (altering one musical element in each version). We investigated whether participants’ psychophysiological responses reflected a more “relaxed” state (lower heart rate, respiration rate, and skin conductance) with slower tempo (45 bpm), mellow timbre (bass clarinet), or smaller amplitude (-10 dB). We also investigated whether psychophysiological responses were consistent with self-report scores. Visual inspection of psychophysiological data indicated two distinct responder profiles, and a logistic regression confirmed this distinction. Using mixed ANCOVAs, we found significant differences between participants (responders and non-responders) in skin conductance level. No correlations between psychophysiological measures and self-reports were found. These findings raise interesting questions regarding the mechanisms behind the relaxing effects of music.

Comparison of music stimuli to support mindfulness meditation

“…Consistent with previous research (Barret & Janata, 2016;Hernandez-Ruiz et al, 2018), we found that the characteristics of the participants-such as level of absorption in musicaffected their response to the music experience (Research Question 2). The MAAS scores among conditions were not significantly different when Absorption in Music was included as a covariate.…”

“…Researchers and therapists using music may want to consider including a tool such as the AIMS-or a modified shorter version-in pre-screenings or assessments to determine differences in participants' level of immersion in an emotional experience while listening to music. Participants' levels of absorption in music may explain differences in music intervention research studies and clinical practice, and variability in psychological and physiological responses to music when presented with the same or similar stimuli (Hernandez-Ruiz et al, 2018;Sandstrom & Russo, 2013). In addition, future research could determine potential differences between non-musicians versus musicians in their absorption levels and thus their responses to music interventions.…”

“…As mentioned, idiosyncratic responses to music, as well as personality traits, seem to moderate the effects of musical stimuli (Barret & Janata, 2016;Hernandez-Ruiz, James, Noll, & Chrysikou, 2018;Sandstrom & Russo, 2013). Particularly, the ability and willingness to be "drawn in deeply [by a musical stimuli]" (i.e., absorption in music) is a trait that could explain dissimilar findings in music perception and music intervention research (Sandstrom & Russo, 2013).…”

Music stimuli in mindfulness meditation: Comparison of musician and non-musician responses

“…Once included, the difference among conditions disappeared, supporting a mediating effect of absorption in music. It seems reasonable that the ability and willingness to be "drawn in deeply [by a musical stimulus]" explains, at least partially, the effect of the auditory stimuli on the mindfulness intervention, both for musicians and nonmusicians, consistent with previous literature (Barret & Janata, 2016;Dvorak & Hernandez-Ruiz, 2019;Hernandez-Ruiz et al, 2018;Sandstrom & Russo, 2013). Moreover, a comparison of average absorption in music indicated that musicians have higher scores, which might help explain the lack of significant differences for the auditory stimuli for musicians.…”

“…With the understanding that pre-conditioned responses to music seem to mediate the effects of musical stimuli (Barret & Janata, 2016;Hernandez-Ruiz, James, Noll, & Chrysikou, 2018;Sandstrom & Russo, 2013), researchers assessed and controlled for participants' absorption in music. Absorption in music, as defined by the Absorption in Music Scale (AIMS), is a composite variable that measures participants' understanding of emotion in music, their willingness to be drawn into sensory stimuli, and their propensity to be influenced by music (Sandstrom & Russo, 2013).…”