Scientists have discovered that listening to classical, Celtic or Indian music for just thirty minutes a day can significantly reduce blood pressure.
A group of 48 patients who were taking medication for mild hypertension were involved in the study. 28 of them were given CDs of down-tempo music to listen to for half an hour every day for a month while practising breathing exercises. The remaining 20 acted as a control group and were asked to make no lifestyle changes. In tests after the first and fourth week, the first group’s blood pressure was found to be significantly lower.
Dr. Pietro A. Modesti of the University of Florence, who conducted the trial, said: ‘Listening to music is soothing and has often been associated with controlling patient-reported pain or anxiety and acutely reducing blood pressure.
‘We are excited about the positive implications for both patients and physicians, who can now confidently explore music listening as a safe, effective, non-pharmacological treatment option or a complement to therapy’.