stress reduction groundbreaking study

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Medical News Today 02 Feb 2005

Playing a Musical Instrument Reverses Stress on the Genomic Level

A groundbreaking study due to be published in the February 2005 issue of the

international research journal Medical Science Monitor shows for the first time

that playing a musical instrument can reverse multiple components of the human

stress response on the genomic level. The study's principal investigator, Barry

Bittman, M.D. of the Mind-Body Wellness Center in Meadville, PA, says these

unique findings not only shed new light on the value of active music

participation, but also extend our understanding of individualized human

biological stress responses on an unprecedented level.

The research team led by Bittman included researchers from Loma University

School of Medicine and Applied Biosystems, the developer of the original

technology that led to the successful mapping of the human genome announced in

June, 2000.

During the first hour of the novel two-phase study, researchers employed a

frustrating puzzle assembly exercise to induce stress in 32 adult volunteers who

did not consider themselves " musical. " In the second hour, subjects were

randomly divided into three groups. One subset of individuals continued the

stressful activity, while another was allowed to de-stress, relax and read

newspapers or magazines of their choice. The third group participated in their

first group-based recreational music making keyboard program called the

Clavinova Connection which focuses on nurturing, support and non-verbal creative

expression, as opposed to mastery and performance.

Before and after each phase, the researchers sampled subjects' blood for 45

known genomic markers or molecular switches that literally " turn on " biological

responses closely associated with health challenges that range from heart

disease to cancer, and from diabetes to inflammatory diseases.

Instead of manifesting a common biological reaction to the stress- induction

experience, responses differed considerably from person to person. Dr. Bittman

said, " While we were challenged at first by such a wide range of responses,

closer examination of the data revealed what we eventually termed individualized

genomic stress induction signatures. We were actually measuring biological

diversity in action. "

These results shed light on how people exposed to precisely the same stressor

react biologically and psychologically in their own unique ways. A combination

of factors including one's health, genetics, conditioning and a host of

situational and psychosocial variables ultimately determines each individual's

distinctive stress responses. While the precise biological links between stress

and disease remain elusive, it isn't surprising that under the same chronic

stressful conditions, one person might experience a heart attack while another

may develop high blood pressure.

Yet beyond stress-induction, the research shows that the stress-reduction impact

was far greater for individuals participating in their first group keyboard

lesson than for subjects who simply relaxed and read newspapers and magazines.

No statistically significant reversals of initial stress-induced gene expression

were noted in individuals who continued the puzzle exercise during the second

hour. In contrast, six genes in the relaxation group reversed during phase two

of the study, compared with 19 genes in the music group.

Bittman added, " Our preliminary findings demonstrate that active participation

in a group keyboard program was far more effective at reversing stress

signatures than simply relaxing and reading newspapers and magazines.

This is intriguing from an integrative lifestyle perspective. One possible

explanation relates to the degree of active engagement in a calming expressive

activity in contrast to merely settling down to relax and read. With ongoing

research, recreational music making could potentially serve as a rational stress

reduction activity along with other lifestyle strategies that include healthy

nutrition and exercise. "

" In simple terms, using a unique combination of the latest genomic technologies,

we showed for the very first time that we could turn off the DNA-based switches

that literally turn on components of human stress response, " said Muhammad A.

Sharaf, Ph.D., Senior Staff Scientist at Applied Biosystems. " The far-reaching

potential of inducing and subsequently reversing gene expression in this manner

introduces new and exciting possibilities for testing and tailoring specific

treatments to an individual, rather than a group. "

" From a stress research perspective, this study introduces a dynamic genomic

framework for more fully understanding the complex biological impact and

potential health benefits of playing a musical instrument, " commented

Stefano, Ph.D., Director, Neuroscience Research Institute - State University of

New York (SUNY) and Vice Chair, Board of Directors - Research Foundation of

SUNY. " The study's innovative technological approach holds great promise for the

future development and testing of health strategies geared specifically to the

individual. Furthermore, it adds considerable insight into earlier studies

demonstrating positive health outcomes that come from listening to music. "

In the context of current stress assessment methods including self-reported

surveys, the researchers recognize that the utilization of a person's stress

signature for personalizing a host of healthcare interventions sounds like a

futuristic endeavor. They suggest this study represents a mere glimpse of the

potential that exists today for scientists to improve quality of life by better

understanding the complexity of the human stress response.

The study was supported by Yamaha Corporation of America and Applied Biosystems.

[Guest guest]

I loved this article. Now I know I am not wasting my time playing my

instruments. this is great news to me. Cathleen in Arkansas