THE EFFECTS OF MUSIC VERSUS SILENCE ON MEASURES OF STATE ANXIETY, PERCEIVED RELAXATION, AND PHYSIOLOGICAL-RESPONSES OF PATIENTS RECEIVING CHIROPRACTIC INTERVENTIONS

This study examined the effects of music versus silence on measures of state anxiety, perceived relaxation, and physiological responses of c hiropractic patients prior to and immediately following chiropractic t reatment interventions. Subjects (N = 30) were randomly assigned to on e of 3 conditions. The control group (I) was instructed to relax in si lence. The first experimental group (II) listened to a preferred style of music with relaxation instruction. The other experimental group (I II) listened to New Age music with deep-breathing visualization relaxa tion instruction. State anxiety inventory, 10-point Likert tension sca le rating, and blood pressure measurements were administered before an d after chiropractic procedures for each condition. Additionally, a qu estionnaire was completed posttreatment. Significant differences (p < .05) were found from pretest to posttest among the 3 groups for state anxiety and the Likert scale ratings for tension. There was no signifi cant difference for physiological measurements across conditions.