Entspannung durch Musik-Entspannungskassetten? Physiologische Befunde und ihre Aussage Relaxation through music relaxation tapes? Physiological findings and their statement [Translated with www.DeepL.com]

In der vorliegenden Studie wurde die Wirkung von Musik einer Entspannungs-CD mit dem Titel „In 15 Minuten frisch und ausgeglichen" getestet und mit einer Kontrollgruppe verglichen. Gemessen wurden physiologische Daten (u.a. Herzfrequenz, Blutdruck). Verglichen mit der Experimentalgruppe, die Musik von der „Entspannungs"-CD hörte, zeigte sich erstaunlicherweise ein größerer Entspannungseffekt für die Kontrollgruppe ohne Musik. During the last five years the market has been flooded with an immense number of various relaxation CDs. Their booklets promise a quick and easy route to relaxation. Some of them even promise to provide counsel ling in certain situations by music only or by a combination of text and music. Sceptical of these promises I investigated the actual effects of this "relaxation" music. An experimental group (n = 20, most of them experienced in music or instrumentalists) had to listen for 10 minutes to the CD "fresh and balanced in 15 minutes". They also could bring with them music from which they believed it would help them to relax. To test the effect of music in general a control group (n = 10) had to undergo the same procedure with out listening to any music. In addition to the 5 parameters blood oxygen saturation, pulse rate, pressure of oxygen and carbon dioxide in blood and skin temperature, which were taken every minute, blood pressure and body temperature were taken before and after a testing period to verify the state of activity of the body. Also, the persons were asked to fill in questionnaires about their musical preferences, personal details and attitudes towards CDs. As main result there is a significant difference between testing and control group. Notably a deeper state of immersion was reached, but also the relaxation in the second period of the control group was much better. According to these results, both a deeper relaxation and a better degree of immersion was reached without listening to music. One reason for this could be that most of the experimental group have a certain awareness of music and could have been distracted by the music rather than supported by it in relaxation. https://www.pubpsych.de/get.php?id=0128550 peerReviewed publishedVersion