THE EFFECT OF SELECTED CLASSICAL-MUSIC AND SPONTANEOUS IMAGERY ON PLASMA BETA-ENDORPHIN

This study explored the effect of music and imagery on plasma beta-end orphin in 78 undergraduates. Subjects screened for relevant psychologi cal and health criteria were assigned to music imaging, silent imaging music listening, and control conditions. Subjects donated 15 ml of bl ood prior to and following the 2-hr intervention period. There were no group differences in potential confounding variables. Split-plot fact orial analysis controlling for individual differences in pretest level of beta-endorphin revealed that those in the music imaging group expe rienced a significant pre-post decline in beta-endorphin, while no oth er group demonstrated any significant pre-post difference. These data suggest that music imaging may lower peripheral beta-endorphin levels in healthy subjects. Further exploration of the effects of music and i magery interventions on physiology and health may be warranted.