The Neurochemistry and Social Flow of Singing: Bonding and Oxytocin
Music is used in healthcare to promote physical and psychological well-being. As clinical applications of music continue to expand, there is a growing need to understand the biological mechanisms by which music influences health. Here we explore the neurochemistry and social flow of group singing. 4...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2015-09-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Human Neuroscience |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fnhum.2015.00518/full |
| _version_ | 1818258521916964864 |
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| author | Jason R. Keeler Edward A. Roth Brittany L. Neuser John M Spitsbergen Daniel James Maxwell Waters John-Mary eVianney |
| author_facet | Jason R. Keeler Edward A. Roth Brittany L. Neuser John M Spitsbergen Daniel James Maxwell Waters John-Mary eVianney |
| author_sort | Jason R. Keeler |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Music is used in healthcare to promote physical and psychological well-being. As clinical applications of music continue to expand, there is a growing need to understand the biological mechanisms by which music influences health. Here we explore the neurochemistry and social flow of group singing. 4 participants from a vocal jazz ensemble were conveniently sampled to sing together in two separate performances: pre-composed and improvised. Concentrations of plasma oxytocin and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) were measured before and after each singing condition to assess levels of social affiliation, engagement and arousal. A validated assessment of flow state was administered after each singing condition to assess participants’ absorption in the task. The feasibility of the research methods were assessed and initial neurochemical data was generated on group singing. Mean scores of the flow state scale indicated that participants experienced flow in both the pre-composed (M=37.06) and improvised singing conditions (M=34.25), with no significant difference between conditions. ACTH concentrations decreased in both conditions, significantly so in the pre-composed singing condition, which may have contributed to the social flow experience. Mean plasma oxytocin levels increased only in response to improvised singing, with no significant difference between improvised and pre-composed singing conditions observed. The results indicate that group singing reduces stress and arousal, as measured by ACTH, and induces social flow in participants. The effects of pre-composed and improvised group singing on oxytocin are less clear. Higher levels of plasma oxytocin in the improvised condition may perhaps be attributed to the social effects of improvising musically with others. Further research with a larger sample size is warranted. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-12T18:00:52Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d04617e880164647931947bdec0d5bd1 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1662-5161 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-12T18:00:52Z |
| publishDate | 2015-09-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Human Neuroscience |
| spelling | doaj.art-d04617e880164647931947bdec0d5bd12022-12-22T00:16:37ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Human Neuroscience1662-51612015-09-01910.3389/fnhum.2015.00518158442The Neurochemistry and Social Flow of Singing: Bonding and OxytocinJason R. Keeler0Edward A. Roth1Brittany L. Neuser2John M Spitsbergen3Daniel James Maxwell Waters4John-Mary eVianney5Western Michigan UniversityWestern Michigan UniversityWestern Michigan UniversityWestern Michigan UniversityWestern Michigan UniversityWestern Michigan UniversityMusic is used in healthcare to promote physical and psychological well-being. As clinical applications of music continue to expand, there is a growing need to understand the biological mechanisms by which music influences health. Here we explore the neurochemistry and social flow of group singing. 4 participants from a vocal jazz ensemble were conveniently sampled to sing together in two separate performances: pre-composed and improvised. Concentrations of plasma oxytocin and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) were measured before and after each singing condition to assess levels of social affiliation, engagement and arousal. A validated assessment of flow state was administered after each singing condition to assess participants’ absorption in the task. The feasibility of the research methods were assessed and initial neurochemical data was generated on group singing. Mean scores of the flow state scale indicated that participants experienced flow in both the pre-composed (M=37.06) and improvised singing conditions (M=34.25), with no significant difference between conditions. ACTH concentrations decreased in both conditions, significantly so in the pre-composed singing condition, which may have contributed to the social flow experience. Mean plasma oxytocin levels increased only in response to improvised singing, with no significant difference between improvised and pre-composed singing conditions observed. The results indicate that group singing reduces stress and arousal, as measured by ACTH, and induces social flow in participants. The effects of pre-composed and improvised group singing on oxytocin are less clear. Higher levels of plasma oxytocin in the improvised condition may perhaps be attributed to the social effects of improvising musically with others. Further research with a larger sample size is warranted.http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fnhum.2015.00518/fullMusicMusic TherapyOxytocinACTHFlowimprovisation |
| spellingShingle | Jason R. Keeler Edward A. Roth Brittany L. Neuser John M Spitsbergen Daniel James Maxwell Waters John-Mary eVianney The Neurochemistry and Social Flow of Singing: Bonding and Oxytocin Frontiers in Human Neuroscience Music Music Therapy Oxytocin ACTH Flow improvisation |
| title | The Neurochemistry and Social Flow of Singing: Bonding and Oxytocin |
| title_full | The Neurochemistry and Social Flow of Singing: Bonding and Oxytocin |
| title_fullStr | The Neurochemistry and Social Flow of Singing: Bonding and Oxytocin |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Neurochemistry and Social Flow of Singing: Bonding and Oxytocin |
| title_short | The Neurochemistry and Social Flow of Singing: Bonding and Oxytocin |
| title_sort | neurochemistry and social flow of singing bonding and oxytocin |
| topic | Music Music Therapy Oxytocin ACTH Flow improvisation |
| url | http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fnhum.2015.00518/full |
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