Raga Bhairavi in virtual reality reduces stress-related psychophysiological markers

Published: 22 October 2024


Kulbhushan Chand, Shilpa Chandra & Varun Dutt
Scientific Reports volume 14, Article number: 24816 (2024)

Abstract
The effects of classical music on psychophysiological parameters are not well understood. This study aimed to investigate the impact of listening to raga Bhairavi, an Indian Classical Music for six days on anxiety, stress, depression, and heart rate variability (HRV) parameters. Forty-four individuals were randomly assigned to either the intervention group (VR-raga), where they listened to raga Bhairavi via 360° video in a virtual reality environment, or the control group, where there was no exposure to raga Bhairavi for six days. Before allocation, the HRV baselines (relax-baseline and stress-baseline) were recorded on the first day. On the first and sixth days of the intervention, HRV was monitored, and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) questionnaire was administered before and after the intervention. After six days, all DASS-21 subscales were significantly reduced in the VR-raga group. A similar trend was observed in the seven HRV parameters evaluated in this study, which demonstrated reduced physiological stress and enhanced autonomic balance following the six-day intervention. The findings collectively indicated the efficacy of the VR-based raga Bhairavi intervention in reducing psychological stress markers and highlighted the potential applications of utilizing the VR-based raga intervention for improving mental well-being in the real-world context.

Introduction
The current state of mental health and healthcare infrastructure in India necessitates a significant enhancement in the provision of mental healthcare facilities at the grassroots level. As per the National Mental Health Survey conducted by the Government of India in 2016, almost 150 million Indians have some form of mental health issue, such as stress, anxiety, and depression. The prevalence of mental disorders in India is 10.6%, with stress-related disorders constituting a major proportion1. As estimated by the World Health Organization (WHO), worldwide 121 million people are affected by depression and is a prevalent mental condition characterized by a persistently poor mood that affects eating, sleep patterns, and general functioning2.

Considering the growing prevalence of mental illness, it is imperative to explore innovative treatment options. One promising approach is music therapy, which has shown potential benefits in managing mental conditions3,4,5,6,7,8. India, with its diverse array of religions, languages, musical traditions, dances, customs, and landscapes, presents a distinctive backdrop for investigating the impact of music therapy. Historical records demonstrate that Indian classical music has been utilized for therapeutic purposes across a wide span of time, encompassing the Vedic era, up to the 19th century9. Raga, which serves as the foundation for melodic structure, is the most fundamental component of Indian classical music. A raga is a framework for creating melodies in Indian classical music, consisting of a specific set of notes and rules on how to use them. It guides musicians to evoke certain emotions and is often associated with particular times of the day or season10. Each raga possesses a unique aura, emotional resonance (Rasa), and expressive quality (Bhava)11. The raga Bhairavi is considered a complete or “Sampoorn raga” because it includes all seven musical notes. Although traditionally associated with early morning performances, it is often preferred for presentation at the culmination or conclusion of musical events12. Ancient Indian music literature, including the Gandharva Veda, Sama Veda, and “Raga Chikitsa” also refer to various ragas believed to have health benefits13,14,15. Recent studies on the theory of ragas, which were also grounded in Ayurvedic (ancient Indian medical system) principles, have reportedly been beneficial for individuals grappling with depression16.

Despite the extensive range of modes available in the Indian music tradition that can produce relaxation or health benefits, there is a scarcity of scientific literature exploring its potential as an intervention in various musical genres17,18,19,20. Most studies on Indian music have not incorporated physiological measurements. Although in the literature, a lowering of the subscales scores from subjective measures such as the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) has been used to demonstrate an improvement in mental well-being21,22, objective measures such as physiological signals have not consistently concur6,7. For the purposes of this research, “mental well-being” is defined as a decrease in stress, anxiety, and depression symptoms that supports psychological resilience and emotional balance. To make logical inferences, it is crucial to use both subjective and objective metrics coupled with innovative approaches to prove the efficacy of interventions aimed at mental relaxation23,24,25. This study addresses this issue by employing subjective measures, such as the DASS-21, and objective measures, including HRV.

Moreover, the use of virtual reality in interventions has been shown to be beneficial for promoting overall mental well-being by managing anxiety, promoting relaxation, and reducing feelings of sadness26. Although the literature has explored the use of Virtual Reality (VR) to induce relaxation and mindful meditation27,28,29,30, there is a lack of use of virtual reality in creating an immersive experience of Indian classical music. Therefore, our study sought to bridge this gap by evaluating the efficacy of presenting raga Bhairavi in an immersive virtual environment. This study investigated two hypotheses based on the available literature and empirical evidence4,5,31,32,33,34. The first hypothesis posits that the DASS-21 scores will exhibit a marked improvement following the raga intervention in contrast to the pre- and post-intervention outcomes. The second hypothesis suggests that immersive raga intervention effectively enhances HRV parameters, thereby facilitating physiological relaxation.

More:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-74932-1