Relaxing Music for Anxiety Control

Journal

Journal of Music Therapy

Year

2011

Volume

48

Issue

3

First Page

264

Last Page

88

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

Disciplines

Music Therapy

Document Type

Article

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