Articlegold2015

The neurochemistry and social flow of singing: bonding and oxytocin

Jason R. Keeler · Edward A. Roth · Brittany L. Neuser · John Martin Spitsbergen · Daniel J. M. Waters · John‐Mary Vianney

220 citations0/0 files storedFrontiers in Human Neuroscience

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Music Therapy and Health Neuroscience and Music Perception Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior

Abstract

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. Four 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.

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1975Beyond boredom and anxiety 2005Oxytocin increases trust in humans 1997Finding flow: the psychology of engagement with everyday life 2006Social Support and Health: A Review of Physiological Processes Potentially Underlying Links to Disease Outcomes 1989Optimal experience in work and leisure.2011Social effects of oxytocin in humans: context and person matter 2002Assessing Flow in Physical Activity: The Flow State Scale–2 and Dispositional Flow Scale–2 2009Oxytocin, vasopressin, and human social behavior

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2020Why is music therapeutic for neurological disorders? The Therapeutic Music Capacities Model 2018A systematic review of mental health and wellbeing outcomes of group singing for adults with a mental health condition 2017A Review of the Physiological Effects and Mechanisms of Singing 2022A Scoping Review of Flow Research 2016The stress-reducing effect of music listening varies depending on the social context 2020

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