Music mindfulness acutely modulates autonomic activity and improves psychological state in anxiety and depression.
Frontiers in neuroscience January 1, 2025 Christine Ramirez, Gertrude Asumpaame Alayine, Cyril Selase Kwaku Akafia et al. 3 citations
Music mindfulness—combining music listening with mindfulness activities—acutely increases heart rate variability and alters brain activity in frontotemporal regions, as measured by wearable electrocardiography and electroencephalography in people with moderate anxiety and depression. Both live and virtual sessions reduce stress and shift state of consciousness, but only live sessions enhance social connection. Effects on physiology and psychology differ by self-reported sex. The findings suggest music mindfulness engages autonomic and neural mechanisms that may help treat anxiety and depression symptoms.