Abstract

Music often serves as a tool for inducing physiological relaxation, a positive state of mind in individuals who experience sleep difficulties. A recent laboratory study suggested that physiological sounds, including heartbeat (HB) sounds, may induce relaxation. In this study, we explored whether music combined with HBs can improve sleep quality in adults. A total of 70 adults, aged 40–68 years, with sleep difficulties, were randomized into a 4-week music+HB intervention, an audiobook control, and a waitlist group, and data from 63 adults were included in the final analysis. Self-report questionnaires were used to assess sleep quality, depression, and anxiety in all the participants. We observed that the symptoms of early morning awakening and subjective sleep quality were significantly improved with the music+HB intervention than in the waitlist group. Specifically, intervention-induced improved sleep quality persisted even for 4 weeks after intervention in individuals without severe depression. We concluded that music combined with HB may be potentially useful as a healthcare self-help tool for individuals with subclinical levels of insomnia or temporary sleep disturbances, as opposed to being a primary treatment modality for patients with clinical-level insomnia and comorbid depressive disorder.