An investigation of effects of a non-repetitive preferred music on physiological responses amongst a group of chronic tinnitus patients

Abstract

A kind of specific music, which was non-repetitive and fulfilled the individualized preferences of tinnitus patients, has been shown to be effective in relieving tinnitus in short term. Currently, the effects of the specific music on physiological responses of tinnitus patients were unknown, which was the main objective of this study. Thirty patients suffering from chronic tinnitus were involved in this study for a three-week specific music intervention. During this period, tinnitus patients received four measurements, each of which simultaneously collected electrocardiogram (ECG), photoplethysmogram (PPG), respiration (RSP), and surface electromyogram (EMG) signals to measure physiological responses, such as activities of autonomic nervous system (ANS) and mental stress. The effects of the specific music were evaluated by differences of physiological responses in different stages (before, during, and after specific music intervention). Significant differences (p ≤ 0.001) of physiological parameters among the three stages were observed. Results indicated that the specific music might be helpful to increase HRV, enhance activities of parasympathetic nervous system, and mitigate the mental stress of tinnitus patients.