MASULI, Zoe Aprille C.

STEM 12- EDISON

The effect of harp music on heart rate, mean blood pressure, respiratory
rate, and body temperature in the African green monkey
Sarah Bro Hinds, Susan Raimond & Bret K. Purcell

Hinds, S. B., Raimond, S., & Purcell, B. K. (2007). The effect of harp music on heart rate, mean blood
pressure, respiratory rate, and body temperature in the African green monkey. Journal of Medical
Primatology, 36(2), 95–100
The researchers used non-human primates (NHPs) as a subject for their experiment in which
they try to find out if harp music specifically, can affect the NHPs’ heart rate, pulse, blood pressure,
and respirations with increased oxygenation; general reduction of agitation; decreased stress and
anxiety; increased endorphin levels; and quicker recovery in post-surgical conditions. It is stated
that though there are a lot of experiments performed regarding music and its effects on humans
and animals, the experiment seeks to find a deeper understanding and the statistical results of the
medium.
The research was done with the consent of the governing bodies preserving the rights of the
animals and the accreditation to use the Caribbean origin African green monkeys. The primates
undergone several health examinations to check their overall condition. The results all came out
negative to all diseases and later on moved to a stabilized monkey chow.
In preparation for the experiment each animal was implanted with the Konigsberg
Instruments Model T27F-1B telemetry device. All of the animals recovered for approximately 30
days before the study.
During the after surgical recovery, the study was initiated by the playing of the recorded 90-
minute harp music 30 minutes after every human interaction like the feeding and cage cleaning.
Heart rate, mean blood pressure, body temperature, and respiratory rate were checked before,
during and after the playing of the music.
Though all of the animals recovered completely except for one that developed a temporary
hind limb paresis, the results of the study did prove nothing for the result of post-exposure,
exposure and pre-exposure of music did not have much statistical differences on the heart rate,
mean blood pressure, body temperature and respiratory rate.