Daily music listening to reduce work-related stress: a randomized controlled pilot trial

Hemodynamic and Stress Response After Sound Intervention with Different Headphone Systems: A Double-Blind Randomized Study in Healthy Volunteers Working in the Health Care Sector

Objectives: Two headphone systems using different sound systems were compared to investigate the effects of a sound intervention on cardiovascular parameters, indicators of stress, and subjective feelings. Methods: One hundred volunteers who work in the health care sector reporting elevated workplace-related stress were enrolled and randomized to a 12-min sound intervention (classical music) with either conventional headphones ("MEZE 99 Classic") or with the same-but internally modified-headphone (called "Lautsaenger"). Cardiovascular parameters were measured with the VascAssist2.0, both before and after sound interventions. In addition, participants were asked to complete questionnaires on burnout risk and emotions/stress. Results: The study population consisted mainly of female participants (n = 83), with the majority being students (42%). Median age was 32.5 years (range 21-71). In terms of cardiovascular parameters, a significant reduction in aortic pulse wave velocity, as measure of arterial stiffness, and heart rate was observed within both treatment arms. Both systolic blood pressure and arterial flow resistance were reduced by sound intervention, while these effects were only documented with Lautsaenger. Treatment groups were comparable in terms of subjective feedback by participants: a significant increase in emotional wellbeing was achieved with both headphone systems. Conclusions: A single short-term sound intervention seems to be able to achieve objective cardiovascular improvements in healthy volunteers reporting subjective symptoms of workplace-related stress, using two different headphone systems. Moreover, significant emotional improvement was reported within both arms. Trial Registration: ISRCTN registry 70947363, date of registration August 13, 2021.

A novel music-based therapeutic approach: the Therapeutic Music Listening

The therapeutic use of music is frequently based on active interventions that directly involve the patient through a sonorous-music interaction with the music therapist. In contrast, approaches based on musical listening are characterized by a relationship aimed at promoting an introspective work and processing of one's emotional experiences. Increasingly, the scientific literature has shown how even listening to music related to the patient's personal tastes (preferred music listening) and by-passing the direct relationship with the patient, can produce therapeutic effects in different clinical settings. However, in many cases, a clear therapeutic rationale and specific application protocols are still lacking. The paper introduces a novel approach based on music listening: the Therapeutic Music Listening. This approach integrates the subjective component of listening (patient's musical tastes) and structural and parametric characteristics of the music in relation to the therapeutic aims. The article defines theoretical-applicative bases as well as therapeutic and research perspectives of this music listening-based intervention.

The effect of quality of service experience on consumers' loyalty to music streaming services: Time pressure as a moderator

This study investigates how the quality of service experience (QSE) impacts users' satisfaction and loyalty to music streaming services. To this end, the sense of insufficient time to do things, a moderated mediation model, is adopted to examine the mediating role of satisfaction and the moderating role of time pressure from working. By using structural equation modeling, the results reveal that QSE is positively related to users' satisfaction and loyalty to music streaming services. The results also show that the QSE positively influences users' loyalty through satisfaction. Furthermore, time pressure, acting as a moderator, positively affects the relationship between QSE and satisfaction and the relationship between satisfaction and loyalty.

The Use of Music to Manage Burnout in Nurses: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVE

There is a high prevalence of burnout in nurses. This systematic review investigates the use of music to manage burnout in nurses.

DATA SOURCE

MEDLINE (Ovid), MEDLINE InProcess/ePubs, Embase, APA PsycINFO, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases were searched.

STUDY INCLUSION AND EXCLUSION CRITERIA

Full-text articles were selected if the study assessed the use of music to manage burnout in nurses. Burnout was defined according to the International Classification of Diseases 11th Revision.

DATA EXTRACTION

Data were extracted using an Excel sheet. The second and third authors independently extracted study characteristics, frequency and type of music engagement, measures of burnout, and burnout outcomes (occupational stress, coping with stress, and related symptoms such as anxiety).

DATA SYNTHESIS

Study and outcome data were summarized.

RESULTS

The literature search resulted in 2210 articles and 16 articles were included (n = 1205 nurses). All seven cross-sectional studies reported upon nurses' self-facilitated use of music including music listening, playing instruments, and music entertainment for coping or preventing stress, supporting wellbeing, or enhancing work engagement. Externally-facilitated music engagement, including music listening, chanting, percussive improvisation, and song writing, was reported in the four randomized controlled trials and five cohort studies with reductions in burnout outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Self-facilitated and externally-facilitated music engagement can help to reduce burnout in nurses.

Effect of Algorithmic Music Listening on Cardiac Autonomic Nervous System Activity: An Exploratory, Randomized Crossover Study

It is proven that music listening can have a therapeutic impact in many clinical fields. However, to assume a curative value, musical stimuli should have a therapeutic logic. This study aimed at assessing short-term effects of algorithmic music on cardiac autonomic nervous system activity. Twenty-two healthy subjects underwent a crossover study including random listening to relaxing and activating algorithmic music. Electrocardiogram (ECG) and non-invasive arterial blood pressure were continuously recorded and were later analyzed to measure Heart Rate (HR) mean, HR variability and baroreflex sensitivity (BRS). Statistical analysis was performed using a general linear model, testing for carryover, period and treatment effects. Relaxing tracks decreased HR and increased root mean square of successive squared differences of normal-to-normal (NN) intervals, proportion of interval differences of successive NN intervals greater than 50 ms, low-frequency (LF) and high-frequency (HF) power and BRS. Activating tracks caused almost no change or an opposite effect in the same variables. The difference between the effects of the two stimuli was statistically significant in all these variables. No difference was found in the standard deviation of normal-to-normal RR intervals, LF_power in normalized units and LF_power/HF_power variables. The study suggests that algorithmic relaxing music increases cardiac vagal modulation and tone. These results open interesting perspectives in various clinical areas.

Conventional and Algorithmic Music Listening before Radiotherapy Treatment: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study

Music listening is a widespread approach in the field of music therapy. In this study, the effects of music listening on anxiety and stress in patients undergoing radiotherapy are investigated. Sixty patients with breast cancer who were candidates for postoperative curative radiotherapy were recruited and randomly assigned to three groups: Melomics-Health (MH) group (music listening algorithmically created, n = 20); individualized music listening (IML) group (playlist of preferred music, n = 20); no music group (n = 20). Music listening was administered for 15 min immediately before simulation and during the first five radiotherapy sessions. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and the Psychological Distress Inventory (PDI) were administered before/after treatment. Cochran’s Q test and McNemar test for paired proportions were performed to evaluate if the proportion of subjects having an outcome score below the critical value by treatment and over time was different, and if there was a change in that proportion. The MH group improved in STAI and PDI. The IML group worsened in STAI at T1 and improved STAI-Trait at T2. The IML group worsened in PDI at T2. The No music group generally improved in STAI and PDI. Clinical and music listening-related implications are discussed defining possible research perspectives in this field.

Effects of Algorithmic Music on the Cardiovascular Neural Control

Music influences many physiological parameters, including some cardiovascular (CV) control indices. The complexity and heterogeneity of musical stimuli, the integrated response within the brain and the limited availability of quantitative methods for non-invasive assessment of the autonomic function are the main reasons for the scarcity of studies about the impact of music on CV control. This study aims to investigate the effects of listening to algorithmic music on the CV regulation of healthy subjects by means of the spectral analysis of heart period, approximated as the time distance between two consecutive R-wave peaks (RR), and systolic arterial pressure (SAP) variability. We studied 10 healthy volunteers (age 39 ± 6 years, 5 females) both while supine (REST) and during passive orthostatism (TILT). Activating and relaxing algorithmic music tracks were used to produce possible contrasting effects. At baseline, the group featured normal indices of CV sympathovagal modulation both at REST and during TILT. Compared to baseline, at REST, listening to both musical stimuli did not affect time and frequency domain markers of both SAP and RR, except for a significant increase in mean RR. A physiological TILT response was maintained while listening to both musical tracks in terms of time and frequency domain markers, compared to baseline, an increase in mean RR was again observed. In healthy subjects featuring a normal CV neural profile at baseline, algorithmic music reduced the heart rate, a potentially favorable effect. The innovative music approach of this study encourages further research, as in the presence of several diseases, such as ischemic heart disease, hypertension, and heart failure, a standardized musical stimulation could play a therapeutic role.

Algorithmic Music for Therapy: Effectiveness and Perspectives

This study assessed the short-term effects of conventional (i.e., human-composed) and algorithmic music on the relaxation level. It also investigated whether algorithmic compositions are perceived as music and are distinguishable from human-composed music. Three hundred twenty healthy volunteers were recruited and randomly allocated to two groups where they listened to either their preferred music or algorithmic music. Another 179 healthy subjects were allocated to four listening groups that respectively listened to: music composed and performed by a human, music composed by a human and performed by a machine; music composed by a machine and performed by a human, music composed and performed by a machine. In the first experiment, participants underwent one of the two music listening conditions—preferred or algorithmic music—in a comfortable state. In the second one, participants were asked to evaluate, through an online questionnaire, the musical excerpts they listened to. The Visual Analogue Scale was used to evaluate their relaxation levels before and after the music listening experience. Other outcomes were evaluated through the responses to the questionnaire. The relaxation level obtained with the music created by the algorithms is comparable to the one achieved with preferred music. Statistical analysis shows that the relaxation level is not affected by the composer, the performer, or the existence of musical training. On the other hand, the perceived effect is related to the performer. Finally, music composed by an algorithm and performed by a human is not distinguishable from that composed by a human.