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The Effect of Bach’s Music

towards Simple Reaction Time and Vital Signs

Yenni Limyati

, Luisa Rivanti Lukmana

, Herlina Sari Haloho

, Widura

, Jo Suherman

Departement of Skill’s Lab, Faculty of Medicine, Christian University of Maranatha, Bandung, Indonesia

Instalation of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Unggul Karsa Medika Hospital, Bandung, Indonesia

Departement of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Christian University of Maranatha, Bandung, Indonesia

Departement of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Christian University of Maranatha, Bandung, Indonesia

Keywords: Bach’s Music, Simple Reaction Time, Vital Sign.

Abstract: One of the method to influence the reaction time and vital signs is by listening to classical music especially

Bach’s music. Bach’s music has a slow tempo (60-80 bpm) which can affect blood pressure (BP), heart rate

(HT), and simple reaction time (SRT). Bach’s music has a composition of fluctuating tones between high

notes and low notes. The objective of this study is to determine the effect of Bach’s music toward simple

reaction time and vital signs Material and methods: The study design was quasi-experimental with a pretest

and posttest design. This study was conducted at 30 night shift security guards aged 20-45 years. The

measured data were blood pressure, heart rate, and simple reaction time before and after listening to Bach’s

music "Largo Ma Non Tanto" with a tempo of 80 bpm. Statistical analysis using t-paired parametric test and

Wilcoxon non-parametric test. There were 30 adult, aged 20-45 years. The systolic BP; diastolic BP; HR pre

and during experiment were 116.67 ±6.4 and 101.67 ± 4.61 mmHg (p<0,01); 75.00 ± 5.08 and 61.50 ±

2.68 mmHg (p<0,01), 75.00 ± 5.08 and 61.50 ± 2.68 beats/min (p<0,01). The post experiment SRT have

shown shorter time in the all colors (p<0,01) Listening Bach’s music can decrease BP, HR, and accelerate

SRT.

1 INTRODUCTION

Music is an artwork that is not separated from the

influence of the supporting community. Music is

also a series of tones that become melodies and

arranged according to the sequence and in which

there is rhythm and harmony and arranged in such a

way (Muttaqin, 2008). Listening to music involves

two networks that is external and internal network.

External network involvement when listening to

music, starting when the sound that enters through

our ears is captured by the cochlea. Low sound

frequencies will stimulate cells in the area of the

apex, while high-frequency sounds will be captured

at the base of the cochlea. Then through the

vestibulo-cochlearis, the impulses will go towards

the ventral cochlear nucleus in the medulla

oblongata area, proceeding to the inferior colliculus

in the brainstem through the lateral lemniscus tract.

From the colliculus inferior to the sound of the

musical impulse was forwarded to the branch of

inferior colliculus, then to the corpus medial

geniculatum and was last received in the superior

temporal lobe. From the lobe, music affects a wide

range of parts in our brains, such as the amygdala,

the tegmentum, the striatum, the superior temporal

lobe, the prefrontal region and some other parts,

such as the Heschl girding which plays a role in the

recognition of music heard (Essi et al, 2012).

The Baroque comes from the Portuguese

language 'barucco' or 'barocco' which means a

sloped, rounded shape, such as pearl shape. In the

Baroque era, music experienced many developments

characterized by the use of new bars system,

orchestral form or formation, enhancement of string

instruments, operas, secular music, and instrumental

music (Fitria, 2008). The music of the Baroque era

began in 1600 and ended in 1750. The composer is

Claudio Monteverdi, Antonio Vivaldi, George

Frideric Handel, Arcangelo Corelli, and Johan

186

Limyati, Y., Lukmana, L., Haloho, H., Widura, . and Suherman, J.

The Effect of Bach’s Music towards Simple Reaction Time and Vital Signs.

DOI: 10.5220/0009087801860190

In Proceedings of the 11th National Congress and the 18th Annual Scientiﬁc Meeting of Indonesian Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Association (KONAS XI and PIT XVIII PERDOSRI

2019), pages 186-190

ISBN: 978-989-758-409-1

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Sebastian Bach (Fritz, 2012). The benefits of music

therapy according to Djohan (2006) is affecting

respiratory rate, heart rate, blood pressure,

increasing concentration, decreasing pain (Djohan,

2009).

The beneficial effects of Bach’s music is

possibly caused by his “mathematical” compositions

avoiding sudden changes (Trappe, 2012).

One of

Bach’s music isLargo Ma Non Tanto that has a

slow tempo of 80 beats per minute (bpm), according

to the condition of a relaxed human heart rate in

optimal learning conditions (Pieri, 2017).

Bach’s

music has a composition of fluctuating tones

between high notes and low notes that provide

stimulation as alpha waves. Alpha waves have been

shown to be used as a therapeutic tool. Music with

alpha waves can be obtained through slow tempo

music (60-80 beats per minute). This tempo is able

to shift the brain waves from the beta wave (14-8Hz)

to alpha wave (8-12Hz), so that the condition

obtained relaxed, relaxed, calm. This will then help

the brain to improve attention and short-term

memory. Alpha waves can also help stimulate the

release of a peptide, i.e. beta-endorphins and

endogenous serotonin which has the effect of

lowering the sympainkous tone and enhancing the

parasympathetic tone, thereby causing a sense of

calm and increase concentration (Sherwood, 2013).

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Knowing music’s effect on concentration is

measuring simple reaction times. Reaction speed is

the ability to quick motor response to definite

stimulus, while the time that elapses between the

sensory stimulation and the motor reaction time is

called reaction time (Hurless et al, 2013). Simple

reaction time is the time required from the

introduction of the stimulus until the response arises.

Reaction time is used to evaluate the process speed

of the central nervous system and coordination

between the motor and sensory systems. Reaction

time becomes faster for example due to increased

stimulation intensity and exercise. Instead the

reaction time becomes longer in times of fatigue,

mental tension, pain, a state of worry, and nerve

disorders (Varun et al, 2014).

The aims of this study

is to determine the effect of listening to Bach’s

music toward simple reaction time and vital signs

(blood pressure and heart rate).

2 MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study design is quasi-experimental with a pre-

and post-test design. This study was conducted in

the Skills Lab of the Faculty of Medicine of the

Maranatha Christian University (MCU) during May

2018 to October 2018. The subject consisted of 30

males night shift security guard with inclusion

criteria: (1) male gender; (2) Age 20 – 45 years old;

(3) good hearing; (4) willing to follow the research

voluntarily and approve informed consent. It was

excluded when had (1) colour blind; (2) tremor.

For pretest all of subject measured blood

pressure, heart rate and simple reaction time. For a

simple reaction time the subject is asked to press the

stop button when viewing the red light, then do the

reaction time recording required by each subject.

This pretest is done five times, then take the reaction

time average. The above steps are repeated for light

yellow, green, and blue. Then the subject listened to

Bach’s music "Largo Ma Non Tanto" from the

album Concertos Pour Violin Nigel Kennedy,

Baroque, BMV 1403 with the tempo of Andante 80

bpm for 15 minutes.

Upon completion of the pretest, the subject

breaks for 5 minutes, then blood pressure, heart rate,

simple reaction time is measured while listening to

music (for posttest).

Blood pressure, heart rate and simple reaction

time are compared before and during listening to

Bach music.

Data analysis begins with Shapiro-Wilk

normality test. When the data is normal distribution,

it will be followed by a parametric paired t-test,

whereas when the data is not normal distribution it

will be continued with a non parametric test

Wilcoxon. Statistical significance was defined as p <

0.05. Statistics were obtained using SPSS.

This study was approved by Research Ethical

Committee of Faculty of Medicine of the Maranatha

Christian University (MCU) /Immanuel Hospital

Bandung No. 112 & 128/KEP/III/2-18.

3 RESULTS

Data characteristic of 30 males subject has shown in

table 1.

The Effect of Bach’s Music towards Simple Reaction Time and Vital Signs

187

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Table 1: Baseline Data.

No. Variable

Subject

(n=30)

n %

Educational Level

Senior High School

100

2. History of Past Illness

a. Hypertension 1 3.3

b. Heart Disease 0 0

3. Habituation

a. Smoking 14 46.6

b. Drinking Alcohol 2 6.6

c. Drinking Coffee 16 53.3

4. History of Family Illness

a. Hypertension 7 23.3

b. Heart Disease 3 10

5. Music Listener 29 96.6

6. Classical Music Lover 20 66.6

Playing Instrument

a. Guitar

b. Kendang

43.3

3.3

The results have been conducted in Shapiro-

Wilk normality test on blood pressure and obtained

by normally undistributed data (p value < 0.05), so

that data analysis continued with Wilcoxon

nonparametric test. The heart rate is obtained by

normal distributed data (p value ≥ 0.05), so it is

continued with paired t-test. Data analysis results are

shown in figure 1.

Test the normality of Shapiro-Wilk in the simple

reaction time data against the red light and obtained

the result of normal distribution data (p value >

0.05), so that the data analysis continued with paired

t-test. But the yellow, green, and blue light were

obtained by normal non-distributed data (p value ≤

0.05) so it was continued with a nonparametric test

of Wilcoxon. Data analysis results are shown in

table 2.

Figure 1: The Mean Values of Vital Signs Before and

While Listening to Bach’s Music.

In figure 1, the mean values of systolic blood

pressure were 116.67 ±6.48 mmHg before and

101.67 ± 4.61 mmHg while listening to Bach’s

music. There was a significant differences between

mean values of systolic blood pressure before and

while listening to Bach’s music (p<0.01). The mean

values of dyastolic blood pressure were

75.00 ± 5.08

mmHg before and

61.50 ± 2.68

mmHg while

listening to Bach’s music. There was a significant

differences between mean values of dyastolic blood

pressure before and while listening to Bach’s music

(p<0.01). The mean values of heart rate were

75.00 ±

5.08

beats/min before and

61.50 ± 2.68

beats/min

while listening to Bach’s music. There was a

significant differences between mean values of heart

rate before and while listening to Bach’s music

(p<0.01).

Table 2. The Mean Values of Simple Reaction Time to

Light Before and While Listening to Bach’s Music.

Light

Mean ± SD (ms)

value

Pretest Posttest

Red

208.17 ±

71.22

159.73 ± 66.43 <0.01

Yellow

210.80 ±

101.647

171.03 ±

99.971

<0.01

Green

200.13 ±

114.02

172.07 ±

101.60

0.03

Blue

204.73 ±

93.02

161.50 ± 85.75 <0.01

Table 2 shown ranges and a mean values of the

simple reaction time to red light were between 85 –

344 ms and 208.17 ms (SD±71.22) before and

between 64 – 329 ms and 159.73 ms (SD±66.43)

while listening to Bach’s music (p< 0.01). Ranges

and a mean values of the simple reaction time to

yellow light were between 90 – 540 ms and 210.80

ms (SD± 101.64) before and between 31 – 521 ms

and 171.03 ms (SD±99.97) while listening to Bach’s

music (p< 0.01). Ranges and a mean values of the

simple reaction time to green light were between 85

– 621 ms and 200.13 ms (SD± 114.01) before and

between 58 – 571 ms and 172.07 ms (SD± 101.59)

while listening to Bach’s music (p value = 0.03).

Ranges and a mean values of the simple reaction

time to blue light were between 90 – 466 ms and

204.73 ms (SD± 93.02) before and between 66 – 462

ms and 161.50 ms (SD± 85.75) while listening to

Bach’s music (p< 0.01).

KONAS XI and PIT XVIII PERDOSRI 2019 - The 11th National Congress and The 18th Annual Scientiﬁc Meeting of Indonesian Physical

Medicine and Rehabilitation Association

188

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4 DISCUSSIONS

From the results of the study gained that a decrease

in blood pressure and heart rate after and during

listening to Bach’s music. In accordance with the

previous study by Andhika Mahatidanar obtained

the results that listening to classical music can

decrease blood pressure (Kosinski, 2013). Another

study by Yohana Dani Hartono with the results

obtained after and during listening to Baroque music

is better than before listening to Baroque music

(Mahatinandar, 2016). Other research conducted by

Yenni Limyati, Widjaja Lakshmi, using rhythmic

auditory stimulation with the results of exercises

using rhythmic auditory stimulation better than

conventional exercises in improving the walking

patterns of patients hemiparese pasca stroke

clinically significant differences (Hartono, 2013).

The results of the study for a simple reaction to

light after listening to classical music Johann

Sebastian Bach faster when compared with a simple

reaction time before listening to classical music

Johann Sebastian Bach (Instrumental music). This is

in accordance with the research conducted by Prasad

B.K. in 2013, it is known that the visual reaction

time to light yellow and green is faster by listening

to instrumental music as well as showing that

instrumental music is better result when compared to

rock music (Limyati et al, 2012). Based on research

conducted by Mihaela Chraif et al. in 2013 gained

that results in groups that listened to classical music

and reggae music during research had a faster

reaction time compared to a group that did not listen

to music during the study (Nurulita, 2015).

In the study conducted by Rini Dharmastiti and

Retno Wijayanti in 2008, the results of the reaction

time on men were faster when listening to

instrumental music compared to when not listening

to music, and the results of research Shows that

there is no significant difference between simple

reaction times while listening to favorite music,

disliked music, and instrumental music (Chraif et al,

2013).

5 CONCLUSIONS

Bach’s music can decrease blood pressure, heart rate

and accelerate simple reaction times.

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Reaksi Sederhana . Prosiding Seminar Nasional Teknoin 2008 Bidang Teknik Mesin.

KONAS XI and PIT XVIII PERDOSRI 2019 - The 11th National Congress and The 18th Annual Scientiﬁc Meeting of Indonesian Physical

Medicine and Rehabilitation Association

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