Abstract
Background and objectivesMusic and auditory beat stimulation (ABS) in the theta frequency range (4–7 Hz) are sound-based anxiety treatments that have been independently investigated in prior studies. Here, the anxiety-reducing potential of calm music combined with theta ABS was examined in a large sample of participants.MethodsAn open-label randomized controlled trial was conducted with participants taking anxiolytics (n = 163). Participants were randomly assigned using the Qualtrics randomizer algorithm, to a single session of sound-based treatment in one of four parallel arms: combined (music & ABS; n = 39), music-alone (n = 36), ABS-alone (n = 41), or pink noise (control; n = 47). Pre- and post-intervention somatic and cognitive state anxiety measures were collected along with trait anxiety, personality measures and musical preferences. The study was completed online using a custom application.ResultsBased on trait anxiety scores participants were separated into moderate and high trait anxiety sub-groups. Among participants with moderate trait anxiety, we observed reductions in somatic anxiety that were greater in combined and music-alone conditions than in the pink noise condition; and reductions in cognitive state anxiety that were greater in the combined condition than in the music-alone, ABS-alone, and pink noise conditions. While we also observed reductions in somatic and cognitive state anxiety in participants with high trait anxiety, the conditions were not well differentiated.ConclusionsSound-based treatments are effective in reducing somatic and cognitive state anxiety. For participants with moderate trait anxiety, combined conditions were most efficacious.
Highlights
An open-label randomized controlled trial was conducted with participants taking anxiolytics (n = 163)
Among participants with moderate trait anxiety, we observed reductions in somatic anxiety that were greater in combined and music-alone conditions than in the pink noise condition; and reductions in cognitive state anxiety that were greater in the combined condition than in the music-alone, auditory beat stimulation (ABS)-alone, and pink noise conditions
Data more than 1.5 × Interquartile Range (IQR) below Q1 and more than 1.5 × IQR above Q3 were classified as outliers and removed from analysis
Summary
Anxiety has been steadily increasing, in the adolescent and young adult populations in the past 24 years [1]. COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns have further increased the prevalence of anxiety with U.S adults being three times more likely to screen positive for anxiety disorders in April/May 2020 compared to 2019 [4]. ELS has the effect of negatively influencing an individual’s development affecting all spheres of an individual’s life: emotional, cognitive, behavioural, social and physical [6]. In these terms, it is likely that the COVID19 pandemic could be an ELS for many people during this time. Higher cortisol levels are present in people suffering from anxiety disorders [7,8]. This suggests that treatments that target cortisol and other components of the HPA axis may be potentially effective in treating anxiety. The anxiety-reducing potential of calm music combined with theta ABS was examined in a large sample of participants
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