Effect of Turkish classical music on blood pressure: a randomized controlled trial in hypertensive elderly patients

Abstract

Background: Existing studies suggest that music therapy can have favorable effects on hypertension and anxiety. We therefore set out to investigate the effect of Turkish classical music.

Objectives: To investigate whether Turkish classical music has positive effects on blood pressures and anxiety levels in elderly patients.

Design, setting and subjects: This was a randomized controlled trial performed on 60 hypertensive patients living in a local elderly home in Adana, Turkey.

Methods: Following the completion of a socio-demographic form for each patient, Hamilton anxiety scale was applied. Thereafter, the subjects were randomly divided into two equal-size groups and were allowed to either listen to Turkish classical music (music therapy group) or have a resting period (control group) for 25 min.

Outcome measures: The primary and secondary outcome measures were blood pressure and Hamilton anxiety scale scores, respectively.

Results: The mean reduction in systolic blood pressure was 13.00 mmHg in the music therapy group and 6.50 mmHg in the control group. The baseline adjusted between treatment group difference was not statistically significant (95% CI 6.80-9.36). The median reductions in diastolic blood pressures were 10 mmHg both in the music therapy and control groups. The between treatment group difference was not statistically significant (Mann-Whitney U test, P = 0.839). The mean reduction in HAMA-A was 1.63 in the music therapy group and 0.77 in the control group. The baseline adjusted between treatment group difference was not statistically significant (95% CI 0.82-1.92).

Conclusion: The study demonstrated that both Turkish classical music and resting alone have positive effects on blood pressure in patients with hypertension.