Listening to soothing music for just 30 minutes a day while performing controlled
breathing exercises may significantly reduce high blood pressure, according to
research presented at the American Society of Hypertension's 23rd Annual
Scientific Meeting held May 14-17 in New Orleans .
Pietro A. Modesti, M.D., Ph.D., of the University of Florence in Italy , and
colleagues randomized 48 patients between the ages of 45 and 70 to a control
group or to an intervention group that listened to classical, Celtic and Indian
(raga) music 30 minutes per day while conducting slow, controlled abdominal
breathing exercises. Participants underwent ambulatory blood pressure
monitoring at baseline, and at one and four weeks after treatment allocation.
Patients who listened to music experienced significant reductions in systolic
blood pressure of a mean -3.2 and -4.4 mm Hg at one and four weeks,
respectively, the report indicates. Only small, non-significant reductions in blood
pressure were seen in the control group. The effect on systolic blood pressure
was independent from heart rate changes since the two groups did not differ in
mean heart rates, the researchers note.
These results "clearly illustrate the impact daily music listening has on
ambulatory blood pressure. We are excited about the positive implications for
both patients and physicians, who can now confidently explore music listening
as a safe, effective, non-pharmacological treatment option or a complement to
therapy," the authors conclude.
-- Karen D. Serrano, MD
breathing exercises may significantly reduce high blood pressure, according to
research presented at the American Society of Hypertension's 23rd Annual
Scientific Meeting held May 14-17 in New Orleans .
Pietro A. Modesti, M.D., Ph.D., of the University of Florence in Italy , and
colleagues randomized 48 patients between the ages of 45 and 70 to a control
group or to an intervention group that listened to classical, Celtic and Indian
(raga) music 30 minutes per day while conducting slow, controlled abdominal
breathing exercises. Participants underwent ambulatory blood pressure
monitoring at baseline, and at one and four weeks after treatment allocation.
Patients who listened to music experienced significant reductions in systolic
blood pressure of a mean -3.2 and -4.4 mm Hg at one and four weeks,
respectively, the report indicates. Only small, non-significant reductions in blood
pressure were seen in the control group. The effect on systolic blood pressure
was independent from heart rate changes since the two groups did not differ in
mean heart rates, the researchers note.
These results "clearly illustrate the impact daily music listening has on
ambulatory blood pressure. We are excited about the positive implications for
both patients and physicians, who can now confidently explore music listening
as a safe, effective, non-pharmacological treatment option or a complement to
therapy," the authors conclude.
-- Karen D. Serrano, MD
Soothing Sounds
Music for Relaxation
Music for Relaxation
1-Nocturne- Cea
2-Moonlight Sonata-Beethoven
3-Fairy Tale- Cea
4-Prelude in e minor- Chopin
5- Adagio Cantabile- Beethoven
6-Waltz in a minor- Chopin
7- Ballade- Cea
8- Moonlight on the Narrows- Cea
2-Moonlight Sonata-Beethoven
3-Fairy Tale- Cea
4-Prelude in e minor- Chopin
5- Adagio Cantabile- Beethoven
6-Waltz in a minor- Chopin
7- Ballade- Cea
8- Moonlight on the Narrows- Cea
