Effects of music on cardiovascular reactivity among surgeons

Author(s): Blascovich, J.

Journal/Book: JAMA. 1994; 272: 515 N State St, Chicago, IL 60610. Amer Medical Assoc. 882-884.

Abstract: Objective.-To determine the effects of surgeon-selected and experimenter-selected music on performance and autonomic responses of surgeons during a standard laboratory psychological stressor. Design.-Within-subjects laboratory experiment. Setting.-Hospital psychophysiology laboratory. Participants.-A total of 50 male surgeons aged 31 to 61 years, who reported that they typically listen to music during surgery, volunteered for the study. Main Outcome Measurements.-Cardiac responses, hemodynamic measures, electrodermal autonomic responses, task speed, and accuracy. Results.-Autonomic reactivity for all physiological measures was significantly less in the surgeon-selected music condition than in the experimenter-selected music condition, which in turn was significantly less than in the no-music control condition. Likewise, speed and accuracy of task performance were significantly better in the surgeon-selected music condition than in the experimenter-selected music condition, which was also significantly better than the no-music control condition. Conclusion.-Surgeon-selected music was associated with reduced autonomic reactivity and improved performance of a stressful nonsurgical laboratory task in study participants.

Note: Note K Allen, SUNY Buffalo, Ctr Study Biobehav & Social Aspects Hlth, Pk Hall, Amherst, NY 14260 USA

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