音楽の心理的効果と身体に及ぼす影響

Abstract

Music induces relaxation by the effect on the limbic system controlling emotions and feelings. The limbic system affects physical condition through autonomic nerve system and hormonal system. This study was designed to determine the effect of relaxing music on the state of anxiety and physical conditions. Ten healthy adult females were kept in a supine position for 3 hours wearing headphone. One group of subjects listened to relaxing music from 30 to 90 min after the beginning of the experiment (Group A), while a second group from 90 to 150 min (Group B). The state of anxiety was evaluated by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and Faces Rating Scale (FS). Physical conditions were assessed with blood pressure, pulse rate, respiratory rate, axially temperature and tympanic temperature. Physical and psychological complaints were also collected during the experiment. The state anxiety was relieved after the experiment, and there was no difference between two groups. The scores of VAS and FS increased while the subjects listened to relaxing music. Any parameters assessing physical conditions did not change relating to music during the experiment in both groups. Amounts of physical complaints and psychological complaints increased after the cessation of music in Group A, while those in Group B decreased during listening relaxing music. The results suggest that relaxing music has an effect to relieve anxiety associating to compulsory posture without change of physical conditions.