High blood pressure is a serious chronic disease, which affects millions of people around the world. In a new study, conducted by Professor Elaine Chew from King’s College in London, pianist by training, she could be better regulated thanks to a non -drug track.
Do you suffer from hypertension? Music could help regulate your tension
In this work, scientists have analyzed the effects of music with 92 participants. They were an average of 42 years. Their blood pressure was permanently monitored while listening to nine pieces of piano. These sounds made up a playlist which contained 30. An algorithm determined, in parallel, the structure, the musical tempo and the volume of the music listened to.
Results: the volume and structure of the pieces directly influence the heart rate and the blood pressure. Indeed, music is not content to appease volunteers, it interacts on their body in a measurable way.
“”Like language, music has patterns and sentences that form expressive structures, and it is often what affects listeners “explains Professor Chew.
These music of music that drop the tension in a few minutes
The results revealed a major role in sound intensity. In 25 pieces out of 30, it was the volume that most influenced blood pressure.
“”Better predictability of musical phratic structures allowed the listener to anticipate phrase changes and caused better synchronization-blood pressure-musical pressure, which could strengthen the body’s capacity to regulate blood pressure“Specify researchers.
The interpretation by Harold Bauer of the transcription by Franz Liszt of the serenade of Franz Schubert was distinguished by his particularly marked effect on blood pressure.
Music opens a new path to treat without medication
“At all times and through cultures, humans have moved and vibrated to the rhythm of music. There are probably biological and social advantages to be able to coordinate our actions according to an external rhythm, like people on a boat synchronizing their rowing”continues Professor Chew.
To be able to coordinate an action in this way, it is therefore necessary to be able to anticipate “the beginning and the end of the rhythmic cycles” she adds.
Moreover, “Synchronizing on musical structures is a pleasant feeling: research has shown that music uses the same reward system as food, sex and drugs”.
For researchers, this synchronization could therefore become a therapeutic track. They plan to develop medical playlists adapted to each patient, to use music as a complement to existing treatments and even to explore the prevention of cardiovascular diseases by regular listening.
“”These therapies could be adapted to each individual, thus bringing us closer to music as a precision medicine. In the longer term, we may one day be able to use music to prevent heart disease or slow down, stop or reverse their progress “, concludes professor Chew.