Abstract
A slight reduction of blood pressure and heart rate can reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Maintenance of the respiratory rate within the normal range has also being identified as crucial for a healthy heart. Use of Indian and western music have been considered among many preventive programmes for long time in order to risk reduction associated with cardio vascular diseases. Therefore the aim of this study is to describe the effect of Indian classical music on systolic and diastolic blood pressure, pulse rate and respiratory rate in asymptomatic individuals aged 45 to 65 years. Methodology: A community based randomized intervention study was conducted in 252 asymptomatic individuals. The study group (n = 127) listened to a music based on Indian classical system (entire track of 22 minutes). The control group (n = 125) was kept silent for a similar time period. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure, pulse rate and respiratory rate of each study participant were monitored before and after the intervention. Results: Statistically significant reduction in systolic blood pressure (8.53 mmHg), diastolic blood pressure (5.8 mmHg), pulse rate (5.16 breaths per minute) and respiratory rate (2.55 per minute) were observed in the study group after listening to the music (p 0.05). The reduction was independent of gender, age, education level, practicing a mind relaxation technique and preferred type of music of the participant. Conclusions: Listening to Indian classical music for about 22 minutes significantly reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure, pulse rate and respiratory rate of asymptomatic individuals. Hence, music may have a potential benefit in cardio vascular disease preventive programmes.
Highlights
Cardio vascular diseases (CVD) are the leading causes of death in the world
The systolic and diastolic blood pressure, pulse rate and respiratory rate were measured in the seated position after resting comfortably about 30 minutes
About 22 minute music track based on Indian classical Rag Darbari Kanada which had been identified as having effective for cardio vascular system with empirical studies [33] was used as the intervention
Summary
Cardio vascular diseases (CVD) are the leading causes of death in the world. According to the World Health Organization, in 2008, the number of people who died of ischaemic heart disease (IHD) and of cerebrovascular disease such as stroke was approximately 7.3 and 6.2 million, respectively [1]. The aim of our study was to determine the effects of Indian classical music on systolic and diastolic blood pressure, pulse rate and respiratory rate in asymptomatic individuals aged 45 to 65 years. A community based randomised intervention study was conducted on a sample of 252 calculated for effect size of 5 mmHg of diastolic blood pressure at α = 0.05 and power at 0.9 (90%) after obtaining the of ethics review committee of University of Sri Jayawardhanapura, Sri Lanka. Individuals whose resting pulse rate was less than 60 beats per minute (bpm) and more than 100 (bpm), blood pressure above 140/90 mmHg, and people with additional heart sounds and with hearing impairment were excluded. All data collectors underwent training for the special tasks required in the research such as identifying the appropriate individuals from the community to make the sample frame and obtaining the accurate measurements of systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, pulse rate and respiratory rate
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
