The Effects of Music & Auditory Beat Stimulation on Anxiety

Anxiety is a growing problem and has been steadily increasing, particularly in the adolescent and young adult populations in the past 24 years. Music and auditory beat stimulation (ABS) in the theta frequency range (4-7 Hz) are sound-based anxiety treatments that have been independently investigated in prior studies. Here, the anxiety-reducing potential of calm music combined with theta ABS was examined in a large sample of participants. Participants taking anxiolytics (n = 163) were randomly assigned to a single 24-minute session of sound-based treatment: combined (music & ABS), music-alone, ABS-alone, or pink noise (control). Pre- and post-intervention somatic and cognitive state anxiety measures (STICSA State) were collected along with trait anxiety (STICSA Trait), personality measures (Short Form Eysenck Personality Inventory) and musical preferences (Short Test of Music Preferences).

In this study, the investigators examined and compared the effectiveness of ABS in the theta range, calm music playlist curated by an affective music recommendation system, and the combination of ABS and the same music to reduce anxiety and stress levels (as measured by the State Trait Inventory for Cognitive and Somatic Anxiety (STICSA)) compared to a control condition (pink noise). Prior work has demonstrated that ABS and music both reduce anxiety when presented on their own. It is hypothesized that music with ABS will lead to significantly lower anxiety levels and increased calmness compared to the other experimental conditions. Approximately 163 participants were recruited from the Prolific online participant pool (https://www.prolific.co). The experiment was conducted on the Qualtrics survey platform, and the experimental treatment was provided with the LUCID Research App. After reading and agreeing with the consent form, participants provided their Prolific ID and then filled out the Short Test of Music Preferences (STOMP), Queen's Music Questionnaire, Anxiety coping method's questionnaire, Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS), Self-Assessment Manikin (SAM), Eysenck Personality Questionnaire, and the State Trait Inventory of Cognitive and Somatic Anxiety (STICSA). Participants were also asked to list any medications currently being taken (including cannabis). Participants were then randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups: (1) music; (2) music and auditory beat stimulation (ABS); (3) auditory beat stimulation (ABS) alone; or (4) pink noise for 24 minutes. Participants then received instructions on how to download the LUCID Research app on their iOS device or access the LUCID Research App through a virtual machine using their computer. Participants listened to their randomly assigned treatment for 24 minutes. Participants then completed their post-intervention questionnaires which included: the STICSA state version, SAM and PANAS. The investigators' hypotheses were that the combined, music alone and ABS alone conditions would experience a greater reduction in somatic and cognitive state anxiety compared to the pink noise control condition. These hypotheses were pre-registered using the Open Science Framework (Registration DOI: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/VHCA5) and were based upon previous studies showing that ABS and music listening are capable of reducing anxiety. The investigators had no specific predictions for moderate and high trait anxiety participants, but their pre-registration noted their intention to recruit from both of these populations.

Parallel Assignment Participants taking anxiolytics (n = 163) were randomly assigned to a single 24- minute session of sound-based treatment: combined (Music with theta auditory beat stimulation), music-alone, theta auditory beat stimulation-alone, or pink noise (control). Pre- and post-intervention somatic and cognitive state anxiety measures (STICSA State) were collected along with trait anxiety (STICSA Trait), personality measures (Short Form Eysenck Personality Inventory) and musical preferences (Short Test of Music Preferences).

Listening to calm music and auditory beat stimulation Participants listened to calm music with theta auditory beat stimulation for 24 minutes

Listening to theta auditory beat stimulation Participants listened to theta auditory beat stimulation for 24 minutes

The State Trait Anxiety Inventory for Cognitive and Somatic Anxiety has good reliability and validity as a measure of state and trait cognitive and somatic anxiety. The minimum score is 10 and the maximum is 40. Higher scores indicate higher anxiety (worse outcome). But in this study the post-intervention anxiety score is subtracted from the pre-intervention anxiety score, giving a measure of anxiety reduction. In the case of this anxiety reduction measure, higher anxiety reduction scores would indicate a better outcome.

The Positive and Negative Affect Scale has good reliability and validity and has been widely used in many studies to assess mood. This scale generates two scores: 1) Positive affect (higher score indicates a better outcome), scores range from 10-50. 2) Negative affect (higher score indicates worse outcome), scores range from 10-50.

Inclusion Criteria: Adults (18+) Must be taking anxiety medication Self-identified normal hearing No known cardiac issues No known epilepsy/seizures Have access to an iOS device (iPhone or iPad) to run the Research Application Exclusion Criteria: Adults younger than 18 Not taking anxiety medication Have known cardiac issues - Do not have access to an iOS device (iPhone or iPad) to run the Research Application Have known epilepsy/seizures

We have registered the project on Open Science Framework and will make all elements of IPD open to the public. Please see: https://osf.io/efya2/ Study protocol and analysis plan: https://doi.org/10.17605/ OSF.IO/VHCA5 Consent form: https://osf.io/efya2/

Data are available now and will be for 7 years post data collection completion as per our REB approval: approximately January 2028

There is no specific access criteria for the IPD on OSF. It is freely and openly available to anyone.

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