Effects of listening to computer generated music

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of listening to computer generated environmental music (EVS) on positive and negative mood and feelings. We compared two different levels of pitch standard for instrument tuning. METHODS: Seventy one college students participated to this study. Participants listened to two pieces of music (tuned in A = 440 Hz and in A = 432 Hz) for 10 minutes and evaluated their perception of emotion attached to each music. The Profile of Mood States 2nd Edition (POMS 2) and salivary amylase was measured before and after listening to music. RESULTS: The overall mean Total Mood Disturbance (TMD) score significantly decreased after listening to music [t (70) =2.38, p<.001]. The mean scores of Vigor-Activity [t (70) =3.50, p<.001] and Friendliness [t (70) = 2.05, p=.044] also significantly decreased after the intervention. There was no difference in the amount of salivary amylase before and after the intervention. The participants felt being relaxed, and calmed after listening to music. 40 % of the participants evaluated pitch tuned in A = 440 Hz was more sleepy and less preferable than A =432 H. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that listening to computer generated environmental music (EVS) is effective for decreasing negative mood. It is suggested that pitch standard tuned in A = 432 Hz is more relaxing than in A = 440 Hz. More research is needed to verify these results and further investigation is necessary on increasing positive mood and feelings.