Cardiovascular Effects of Music Versus Guided Mindfulness

NCT07338500 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 2026-4674
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 30
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to examine how listening to music compares to guided mindfulness in affecting blood pressure, heart rate, and feelings of anxiety in healthy adults. The investigators aim to determine whether one of these approaches is more effective in reducing these variables. Additionally, the study will explore whether personal traits or preferences, measured using questionnaires, influence how participants respond to music or mindfulness. Based on previous clinical findings, the researchers hypothesize that listening to music will lead to greater reductions in blood pressure and heart rate compared to guided mindfulness.

Conditions

Music Listening Intervention; Mindfulness-based Intervention

Keywords

Music; Mindfulness

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Changes in Blood Pressure

  The investigators will compare changes in systolic and diastolic blood pressure between the curated music playlist and guided mindfulness interventions using an automated oscillometric upper arm blood pressure monitor with measurements taken at 10-minute intervals.

  0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 minutes during each 40-minute intervention session.

• Changes in Heart Rate

  The investigators will compare changes in heart rate between the curated music playlist and guided mindfulness interventions using an automated oscillometric upper arm blood pressure monitor with measurements taken at 10-minute intervals.

  0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 minutes during each 40-minute intervention session.

Secondary Outcomes (9)

• Changes in Beat-to-Beat Blood Pressure (Finapres NOVA)

  0 to 40 minutes during each 40-minute intervention session.

• Changes in Heart Rate (Finapres NOVA, Electrocardiogram-derived)

  0 to 40 minutes during each 40-minute intervention session.

• Change from Baseline in STAI-Y 1

  Baseline and immediately after each of the two 40-minute intervention sessions during the single study visit.

• Change from Baseline in Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS)

  Baseline and immediately after each of the two 40-minute intervention sessions during the single study visit.

• Barcelona Music Reward Questionnaire (BMRQ)

  Baseline

Study Arms (2)

Music Intervention First

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants randomized to this arm will receive a 40-minute Music Listening intervention in the first period, followed by a 20-minute washout period, and then receive a 40-minute Guided Mindfulness intervention in the second period.

Other: Music; Other: Mindfulness

Mindfulness Intervention First

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants randomized to this arm will receive a 40-minute Guided Mindfulness intervention in the first period, followed by a 20-minute washout period, and then receive a 40-minute Music Listening intervention in the second period.

Other: Music; Other: Mindfulness

Interventions

Music OTHER

Participants will listen to a 40-minute playlist, curated by the research team, through noise-cancelling headphones. The playlist will simultaneously be played in the room through speakers.

Mindfulness Intervention First; Music Intervention First

Mindfulness OTHER

Participants will engage in a structured mindfulness session led by a member of the research team with experience in mindfulness-based practices.

Mindfulness Intervention First; Music Intervention First

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 75 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Normal baseline blood pressure (systolic BP \< 120 mmHg and diastolic BP \< 80mmHg).
• Abstention from caffeine intake for at least 12 hours before the study session and throughout the session, as caffeine may influence cardiovascular measurements.
• Abstention from using nicotine or tobacco products for at least 1 hour before the study session and throughout the session, as these substances may influence cardiovascular measurements.

You may not qualify if:

• Significant hearing impairments that cannot be improved with hearing aids or sound amplification.
• Current use of medications that could affect blood pressure.
• History of hypertension or cardiovascular disease.
• Diagnosis of active substance use disorder, or reported patterns of alcohol, cannabis, or recreational/non-prescribed substance use likely to affect cardiovascular function.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Sir Mortimer B. Davis - Jewish General Hospital: lead

Study Sites (1)

Jewish General Hospital

Montreal, Quebec, H3T 1E2, Canada

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Music Therapy; Mindfulness

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Sensory Art Therapies; Complementary Therapies; Therapeutics; Rehabilitation; Aftercare; Continuity of Patient Care; Patient Care; Psychotherapy; Behavioral Disciplines and Activities; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Behavior Therapy

Study Officials

• Kyle Greenway, MD

  Sir Mortimer B. Davis - Jewish General Hospital, McGill University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Elizabeth Misener, BSc

CONTACT

6138127874; elizabeth.misener@mail.mcgill.ca

Sara de la Salle, PhD

CONTACT

sara.delasalle@mail.mcgill.ca

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Psychiatrist

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 12, 2025
• First Posted: January 14, 2026
• Study Start: April 10, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): June 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): August 1, 2026
• Last Updated: April 24, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

CA (1)