The Influence of Sound on Stress, Anxiety, and Mood

Summary

Multiple studies have highlighted music's ability to evoke diverse emotional states. Past research reveals that factors like musical elements, and the environment impact how people respond emotionally to music. For instance, faster tempos tend to heighten arousal, while minor key compositions evoke more arousal compared to major key compositions. In efforts to induce specific emotions post-stress, the research found that both pleasant and sad music aided stress recovery. Similarly, other researchers noted that positively rated music was more effective in reducing stress than negatively rated music, especially low arousal compositions over high arousal ones. Several studies focused on applying music to reduce stress and anxiety. In addition to man-made musical tones, the positive impact of natural surroundings on emotional state has been widely explored. A psycho-evolutionary viewpoint was offered, suggesting that humans have evolved in natural settings, making us inherently attuned to them physically and psychologically. A non-threatening natural environment, rich in aesthetically pleasing elements like visible escape routes, greenery, and water, tends to reduce stress and generate interest. In this study, the researchers are exploring how different sounds-man-made instrumental music versus natural sounds-affect stress, anxiety, and mood among the students of Medgar Evers College. Using an experimental approach, the researchers will assess pretest stress levels (via the perceived stress scale (PSS), anxiety (generalized anxiety disorder (GAD-7), and mood (four-dimensional mood scale (4DMS) among a sample of students. After randomly dividing them into two groups, each group will listen to one of the designated sounds (man-made music or nature sounds) for 30 minutes daily over 15 days. The researchers will then have them retake the stress, anxiety, and mood scales for post-test comparison. Statistical analysis (mixed ANOVA) will help to compare scores within and between groups. Ultimately, this study aims to determine the influence of tonal input on stress and anxiety levels among students, crucial given the significant stress they often experience.

Conditions

• Healthy

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Man-made sounds

Participants will be asked to listen to the assigned sounds (relaxing music) for 30 minutes a day for 15 days.

BEHAVIORAL

Natural sounds

Participants will be asked to listen to the assigned sounds (birds, ocean, wind) for 30 minutes a day for 15 days.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Medgar Evers College, The City University of New York

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Sumeyra Tosun · Medgar Evers College

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2024-03-31

Primary Completion

2024-04-30

Completion

2024-04-30