Psychophysiological Effects of Music

Psychophysiological Effects of Music on Sadness in Depressed and Non-Depressed Participants

This study employed a repeated measure between-subjects design. Two groups (i.e., depressed group and non-depressed group) of participants were recruited. Each participant experienced four stages: baseline, neutral control, sadness induction, and music intervention. The outcome variables were self-reported emotion and Heart Rate Variability features. Emotions were reported at the end of every stage. Electrocardiogram signals were recorded throughout the experiment.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Aged 18-30 years
• Right-handed
• No recent illness or medication use
• No history of neurological or psychiatric disorders
• Normal or corrected-to-normal visual acuity (myopic participants wore glasses)
• Normal hearing

Exclusion Criteria:

• Incapable of giving written informed consent to this study
• Acute high suicide risk at baseline assessment
• Psychosis