Relaxing Music for Anxiety Control
Journal
Journal of Music Therapy
Year
2011
Abstract
The purpose of this investigation was to determine the characteristics of relaxing music for anxiety control. Undergraduate students (N = 84) were instructed to imagine themselves in an anxiety producing situation while listening to a selection of 30 music compositions. For each composition, level of relaxation, the factors that either enhanced or detracted from its relaxing potential and the emotional labels attached were assessed. Participants were also asked to state which music components (e.g., tempo, melody) were most conducive to relaxation. Additional information was obtained through the use of a focus group of 6 undergraduate music students. This paper presents details on the characteristics of relaxing-music for anxiety control and emotional labels attached to the relaxing compositions. Furthermore, an importance value has been attached to each of the music components under scrutiny, thus providing an indication of which music components should receive greatest attention when selecting music for anxiety control. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]
Music and Health Institute Terms
Adolescents; Anxiety; Music Therapy; Relaxation; Relaxation Levels
Indexed Terms
Studies; Musicians & conductors; Research & development; Behavior; Validity; Anxiety; Pilot Projects; Anxiety; Questionnaires; Auditory Perception; Emotions; Personal Satisfaction; Relaxation; Anxiety; Acoustic Stimulation
Study Type
Quasi-Experimental Study; Quantitative Methods
Document Type
Article
Recommended Citation
Elliott, D., Polman, R., & McGregor, R. (2011). Relaxing Music for Anxiety Control. Journal of Music Therapy, 48 (3), 264-88. Retrieved from https://remix.berklee.edu/mhi-citations/1250