To Assess the Effect of Music and White noise on Heart Rate Variability in Young Adults: A Comparative Study
TL;DR
Auditory stimulation primarily affected frequency-domain HRV rather than cardiovascular or time-domain HRV parameters, whereas excitatory music and white noise were associated with a relative shift toward sympathetic predominance.
Abstract
Background: Music and other auditory stimuli can influence emotional processing and autonomic nervous system activity. Heart rate variability (HRV) provides a non-invasive measure of autonomic regulation and may help characterize changes in sympathovagal balance in response to different auditory conditions. This study evaluated the effects of relaxant music, excitatory music, and white noise on cardiovascular parameters and HRV in healthy young adults. Materials and Methods: This experimental study included 100 healthy adults aged 18–25 years. Following standardized pre-test restrictions and a 15-minute resting period, participants underwent 5-minute Lead II electrocardiographic recordings during four conditions: basal, relaxant music, excitatory music, and white noise. Cardiovascular parameters and time- and frequency-domain HRV indices were assessed. Repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to compare parameters across the four experimental conditions, with statistical significance set at p<0.05. Results: The mean age of participants was 20.06±1.83 years. No statistically significant differences were observed across the four conditions in systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, respiratory rate, heart rate, mean RR interval, mean heart rate, RMSSD, SDSD, pRR50, or total power (p>0.05). In contrast, significant differences were observed in frequency-domain HRV parameters. HF power was higher during basal and relaxant music conditions (68.39±11.46 and 69.21±11.22, respectively) than during excitatory music and white noise (62.58±12.73 and 60.89±13.68, respectively; F=11.358, p<0.00001). LF power was higher during excitatory music and white noise (34.16±13.20 and 36.53±14.48) than during basal and relaxant music (28.32±11.44 and 28.08±10.68; F=11.417, p<0.00001). The LF/HF ratio also differed significantly across conditions (F=8.900, p=0.00001). Conclusion: Auditory stimulation primarily affected frequency-domain HRV rather than cardiovascular or time-domain HRV parameters. Relaxant music was associated with a more parasympathetically predominant HRV pattern, whereas excitatory music and white noise were associated with a relative shift toward sympathetic predominance. Key words: Music, White noise, Heart rate variability, Autonomic nervous system, Young adults