Effect of Live Classical Music in Unhoused and Hospital Settings
Behavioral and Social Sciences- Grade:
- 10
- Teacher:
- Esteban Hernandez Parra
The therapeutic effect of classical music has been well studied and documented in stress related situations, such as the hospital. The so called “Mozart effect” has been shown to reduce anxiety, pain medication requirements, and decrease heart rates and blood pressures in patients. Ironically, classical music has been used as a deterrent of the unhoused population in public spaces. Classical music is played at loud volumes to discourage unwelcome stays. A survey of the literature in PubMed yielded limited studies on music therapy on veterans with housing insecurity or music group activities to foster community amongst veterans or homeless youth, but no studies addressing whether exposure to classical music could have beneficial effect on anxiety levels for these individuals. Being unhoused arguably may be one of the most stressful situations a human can experience as having shelter is a basic human need. This study was performed to see if the same therapeutic effects of classical music observed in hospital settings could be extended to the unhoused population.
A delightful and interesting study. And you were the musician who compared hospital and unhoused subjects responses to classical music. I really liked that you realized just your presence playing music had a good effect. Compatisons of age/sex/educational levels was a exceptionally useful way for me to undersand you subjects.
I also appreciated that you added in your actual data so I could get a sense of who you were playing for and their responses. Good set of references too. Your poster/presentation helped make everything vivid and understandable. Very good work,, Keep on playing and asking questions about the effect of music on people.
I’m deeply impressed with your approach to and analysis of this data. It’s clear through your data visualization that you have a firm grasp on the mechanics of the survey instrument that you used and I applaud you for recognizing how many new questions your findings have evoked! Often, the best science compels us to ask more questions than it answers for us. Very well done!
Very interesting study and it certainly raises some questions as to how unhoused people are treated as compared to people in a hospital. I would love to see you take this further.