The Effects of Music Versus Silence on Measures of State Anxiety, Perceived Rela

Title
The Effects of Music Versus Silence on Measures of State Anxiety, Perceived Relaxation, and Physiological Responses of Patients Receiving Chiropractic Interventions

Author
Jill M. Strauser, MA, RMT
Abstract
This study examined the effects of music versus silence on measures of state anxiety, perceived relaxation, and physiological responses of chiropractic patients prior to and immediately following chiropractic treatment interventions. Subjects (N = 30) were randomly assigned to one of 3 conditions. The control group (I) was instructed to relax in silence. The first experimental group (II) listened to a preferred style of music with relaxation instruction. The other experimental group (III) listened to New Age music with deep-breathing visualization relaxation instruction. State anxiety inventory, 10-point Likert tension scale rating, and blood pressure measurements were administered before and after chiropractic procedures for each condition. Additionally, a questionnaire was completed posttreatment. Significant differences (p < .05) were found from pretest to posttest among the 3 groups for state anxiety and the Likert scale ratings for tension. There was no significant difference for physiological measurements across conditions.

Journal
Journal of Music Therapy
J Music Ther (1997) 34 (2): 88-105.

doi: 10.1093/jmt/34.2.88