Music Therapy and Its Effects on Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

Summary

The purpose of the research is to explore the effects of music therapy on premenstrual syndrome and its symptoms. The goal of this study is to answer the following research questions:

1. Will the passive music listening group and music therapy group (singing and instrumental playing) have a different effect on the physiological responses (EMG, skin conductance, and heart rate) of college students with PMS?
2. Will the passive music listening group and music therapy group (singing and instrumental playing) have a different effect on the brain wave (EEG) of college students with PMS?
3. Will the passive music listening group and music therapy group (singing and instrumental playing) have a different effect on the anxiety level of college students with PMS?
4. Will the passive music listening group and music therapy group (singing and instrumental playing) have a different effect on the pain perception of college students with PMS?
5. How do college students with PMS respond after listening to music, singing, and instrumental playing?

Participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: a passive music-listening group, an active singing group, or an active instrumental-playing group. Physiological responses were collected before, during, and after the intervention. Participants who volunteered completed a written survey following the intervention.

Conditions

• Premenstrual Syndrome
• Menstrual Symptoms

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Music Listening Group (LG)

The Listening Group (LG) listened to a randomly selected song that featured a slow tempo, a major key, and sedative music, and listened to pre-recorded music for 15-20 minutes without an interventionist. All sessions were conducted individually in a quiet, private music therapy room to ensure a controlled, distraction-free environment. Participants were seated comfortably, and a researcher responsible for monitoring their physiological responses remained present but positioned to avoid direct eye contact.

BEHAVIORAL

Participant-Selected Songs for the Interactive Singing Intervention Group (SG)

The researchers curated a list of 23 songs based on participants' preferred genres and artists, as identified through an initial survey. These songs, characterized by an upbeat tempo (80-110 BPM) and major key tonality, were selected to reflect common musical elements aligned with participants' preferences. All sessions were conducted individually in a quiet, private music therapy room to ensure a controlled, distraction-free environment. Participants were seated comfortably facing the interventionist, while a researcher responsible for monitoring physiological responses remained present but positioned to avoid direct eye contact. Participants in the Singing Group (SG) selected a song from the curated list, received a lyric sheet, and sang along as the interventionist provided vocal and guitar accompaniment.

BEHAVIORAL

Participant-Selected Songs for the Interactive Instrumental Playing Group (PG)

The researchers selected 23 songs based on participants' preferred genres and artists, as identified through an initial survey. These songs, characterized by an upbeat tempo (80-110 BPM) and major key tonality, were chosen to reflect musical elements commonly found in participants' preferences. All sessions were conducted individually in a quiet, private music therapy room to ensure a controlled, distraction-free environment. Each participant was seated in a comfortable chair facing the interventionist, while a researcher monitoring physiological responses remained present but positioned to avoid direct eye contact. Participants in the Playing Group (PG) selected a preferred song from the curated list and played a full-sized djembe while listening to live music performed by the interventionist, who provided vocal and guitar accompaniment. To maintain rhythmic focus, participants were instructed not to sing while playing the drum.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• West Chester University of Pennsylvania

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Eun Sil Suh, PhD · West Chester University

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

FEMALE

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2024-02-01

Primary Completion

2024-05-20

Completion

2024-06-01

Countries

• United States

Study Locations