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You may have noticed that listening to different types of music can change your mood. But did you know listening to specially designed music can also ease anxiety?<\/p>\n
A new study by TMU psychology professor Frank A. Russo and PhD student Danielle Mullen found that listening to just 24 minutes of specially-designed music can significantly reduce anxiety.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The music used in the study was paired with auditory beat stimulation (ABS) \u2013 a technology that uses special sound patterns to help your brain relax.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cFor people that don’t have the access to traditional therapy and medications, this is a nice alternative,\u201d said Mullen, who led the research. \u201cSome medications can take weeks to start having a positive effect. Music is an affordable option that can be used as part of a treatment plan when individuals are looking for immediate relief.\u201d<\/p>\n
To test out different doses of music, Mullen and professor Russo partnered with LUCID, a health technology company founded by TMU grad Aaron Labb\u00e9 (new media \u201918).<\/p>\n
LUCID composed instrumental music mixed with nature sounds and theta-band ABS.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Participants listened to different-length playlists. The music was designed to match how the listener felt at the beginning of the session, then gradually shift them toward feeling calm.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The results were clear: music with ABS reliably reduced both mental and physical signs of anxiety.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat we\u2019re seeing is a dose\u2013response pattern where about 24 minutes of music with ABS seems to be the sweet spot,\u201d said professor Russo. \u201cIt\u2019s long enough to meaningfully shift anxiety levels, but not so long that listeners need to carve out a large block of time.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Professor Russo hopes this music therapy will soon be available to TMU students waiting for counselling appointments. Students could use it to manage their anxiety while they wait for therapy to begin.\u00a0<\/p>\n