JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

This scoping review explores the effects of various sound interventions, including music, natural sounds, and speech, on stress response in adults.

Objective:

The review identifies key therapeutic factors, including sound type, individual listener characteristics, and environmental factors. As part of our review, we synthesize evidence of the body's response to sound interventions and highlight current research gaps.

Methods:

A systematic search was conducted using databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and PsycINFO, focusing on studies from 1990 to the present. Eligible studies included randomized controlled trials, clinical trials, and laboratory experiments that measured stress through physiological markers (e.g., heart rate variability, cortisol) and self-reports. Data from 34 studies were included, and thematic analysis was conducted to categorize the factors influencing the effectiveness of sound interventions.

Results:

Findings suggest that music, especially classical and self-selected pieces, effectively reduces physiological stress markers, including heart rate variability, blood pressure, and cortisol levels. Non-musical sounds, such as nature sounds and calming voices, also demonstrate stress-relief potential, though research in this area is less comprehensive. While most sound interventions demonstrated positive effects, some studies reported adverse responses, suggesting that sound can induce stress as much as mitigate it. The outcomes were significantly affected by context factors, such as personal preferences, delivery methods, cultural context, etc., which emphasizes the importance of personalized interventions.

Conclusions:

Sound interventions offer promising non-invasive methods for stress reduction. This review suggests a future focus on addressing the gaps in research on non-musical sound interventions and further investigation of the neural mechanisms underlying stress responses to sound.