Blood Pressure May Be Calmed by Musical Patterns, Study Shows
A new study presented at the European Society of Cardiology conference in Madrid suggests that predictable musical structures may play a role in regulating blood pressure. Researchers found that certain patterns in music particularly those with clear and consistent phrasing could synchronize with listeners’ cardiovascular rhythms.
Photo Credit: Daily Express
How the Study Was Conducted
The research team, led by King’s College London Professor Elaine Chew, monitored 92 participants while they listened to original recordings of classical piano performances. The study involved 30 tracks, with participants hearing nine selections each. The music was reproduced on a specially designed piano to create a controlled, live-like listening environment.
Researchers systematically modified the expressive qualities of the recordings, such as tempo and loudness, to observe how these changes influenced cardiovascular responses. Results showed that blood pressure aligned more strongly with shifts in loudness than with tempo.
The Role of Predictability in Music
Phrase structures were a central focus of the study. Music that followed more predictable phrasing patterns appeared to enhance synchronization between the music and blood pressure rhythms. This effect was strongest in tracks where listeners could anticipate changes in the music, leading to more stable cardiovascular responses.
One recording that stood out was Harold Bauer’s performance of Franz Liszt’s transcription of Franz Schubert’s Serenade. Its predictable phrasing had the most significant impact on blood pressure regulation among participants.
Future Applications of Music Therapy
The study supports the idea that music can function as a non-pharmacological intervention for managing hypertension. By highlighting the role of predictable phrasing in regulating cardiovascular rhythms, the findings may help shape future approaches to music-based therapies. Researchers suggest these methods could eventually be applied across different genres, not just classical piano.
The concept of "entrainment," where the body’s rhythms synchronize with external stimuli, was key to the study. Using advanced algorithms, researchers confirmed that the cardiovascular responses were directly tied to the musical patterns, rather than random variations.
Looking Ahead
The findings contribute to growing research on music’s potential in precision medicine. By designing music with structures that support cardiovascular health, future therapies could be personalized for individuals with high blood pressure, offering new options beyond traditional treatments.
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