The effect of turkish classical music on depression and anxiety state and blood pressure in hypertensive patients

The fact that anti-hypertensive drugs have many adverse effects has led non-pharmacological therapies to emerge as alternative options. Hence the study was performed on hypertensive geriatrics to investigate whether classical Turkish music has positive effects on blood pressure and anxiety. Initially a socio-demographic form and Hamilton Anxiety Scale were applied to patients. Thereafter subjects were enabled to listen to classical Turkish music (experimental group) or have a resting period (control group) for 25 minutes. At the beginning of the study there were no differences in systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels and Hamilton anxiety scale scores between experimental and control groups. On the other hand systolic blood pressure significantly decreased after 28-day music therapy. In contrast no statistical differences were found in control group. As regards to diastolic blood pressure, almost similar results were obtained in the experimental group. Interestingly, resting alone showed a favorable effect on patients as well. In experimental group 28-day music application caused a decrease in anxiety levels of individuals, though it was not significant. However in control group no decline was observed regarding Hamilton anxiety scale scores. Correlation analysis showed no significant relationships between Hamilton anxiety scale scores and systolic or diastolic blood pressures in both groups. The results of the study demonstrated that therapy with classical Turkish music has positive effects especially on systolic pressures in patients with hypertension. In harmony with this conclusion, music therapy could be suggested as a complementary method in geriatric patients to maintain blood pressure within the normal limits.Key word: Anxiety, Geriatrics, Hypertension, Classical Turkish Music, Music Therapy.