The influence of relaxation music on physiological responses in patients receivng osteopathic interventions

This study examined the effects of music on physiological and psychological responses in Osteopathic patients who listened to relaxation music. Fifty subjects, twenty-six females and twenty-four males ranging in age from 18-51, were randomly assigned to one of two environmental settings. Participants in the control group were treated in the absence of relaxation music. The participants allocated to the experimental group received their normal osteopathic treatment whilst relaxation music played in the background. The specific music selected was shown in previous research to decrease State anxiety. Pysiological data collected before and after treatment included heart rate, respiration, diastolic blood pressure, and systolic blood pressure. Psychometric data was assessed using a Visual Analogue Scale for self-perceived relaxation. Significant differences (p<.05) were found from pre-test to post-test in the music group for heart rate, blood pressure and respiration. There were no significant differences in self-perceived tension ratings between the two groups. This minor thesis was written by post-graduate students as part of the requirements of the Master of Health Science (Osteopathy) program