Exploring the Effects of Sonic Augmentation Technology in Music

Exploring the Effects of Sonic Augmentation Technology in Music on Feelings and Biobehavioral State

Brief Summary:

It is the specific intent of this proposal to experimentally explore the possible benefits and mechanisms through which Sonic Augmentation Technology in music can influence emotional health, embodiment, and autonomic functioning. The main goals of the study are:

• To examine the immediate effects of listening to the music.
• To identify individual characteristics that influence the effectiveness of listening to the music.
• Phase 1 ONLY: To examine whether the participants who received the augmented theme reported more improvements than the participants who received the non-augmented theme.

Participants will be asked to attend a scheduled online Zoom meeting where they will:

• Listen to 15-minutes of music
• Complete a pre-music and post-music online survey
• Phase 1 ONLY: Attend the lecture/discussion with Dr. Porges and Anthony Gorry on theory and science underlying sonic augmentation technology and the experiences it aims to evoke.

Detailed Description:

It is the specific intent of this proposal to experimentally explore the possible benefits and mechanisms through which Sonic Augmentation Technology (SAT) in music can influence emotional health, embodiment, and autonomic functioning. This will be accomplished by our team by using well-validated self-report measures of mental health and autonomic reactivity.

Specific Aims:

Specific Aim 1: To examine the immediate effects of SAT in music

•The researchers will explore whether SAT in music leads to improvements in the functioning.

Specific Aim 2: To identify individual characteristics that influence the effectiveness of listening to the music.

• The researchers will explore the impact of specific vulnerability and resiliency factors (e.g., prior mental and medical adversity) on how well participants benefit from listening to the music.
• The researchers will explore the impact of wearing headphones on how well participants benefit from listening to the music.

Phase 1 Experimental design:

Participants will be randomly assigned to either a Sonic Augmentation Technology-enhanced music condition or a control condition featuring the same musical theme without the enhancement. Participants will be asked to attend one virtual session via Zoom where they will:

• Listen to 15-minutes of music
• Complete a pre-music and post-music online survey
• Attend the lecture/discussion with Dr. Porges and Anthony Gorry on theory and science underlying sonic augmentation technology and the experiences it aims to evoke.

Phase 2 Experimental design:

Participants will be asked to attend one virtual session via Zoom where they will:

• Listen to 15-minutes of music
• Complete a pre-music and post-music online survey
• At a later date, participants will be offered the opportunity to attend an optional meeting where results will be disseminated, and Dr. Stephen Porges will be offering insights into the theory and science underlying sonic augmentation technology and the experiences it aims to evoke.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Between the ages of 18 and 89
• Proficient in English

Exclusion Criteria:

• Under the age of 18
• Over the age of 89
• Limited English Proficiency