Can Sound Be Felt? Exploring the Physiological Effects of Vibroacoustic Therapy
When we think of sound, we typically think of what we hear. But what if we could also feel it — through our entire body? A recent preliminary study led by Cavallo et al. (2020) delves into this intriguing idea, examining how vibroacoustic therapy (VAT) — a form of therapy that uses sound vibrations applied directly to the body — might influence our physiological and neurological states.
What Is Vibroacoustic Therapy?
Vibroacoustic therapy goes beyond traditional music therapy by coupling auditory stimulation with low-frequency vibrations transmitted through the body. In this study, researchers used a specially designed wooden chaise longue, the AcusticA® system, which acts as both a reclining chair and a full-body musical instrument. Embedded transducers convert music into a wide frequency range (20 Hz to 17 kHz), allowing participants to feel the music as it plays.
The Study: A Closer Look
Ten healthy young adults participated in the study. Each subject experienced both VAT and traditional acoustic therapy (AT), which included only auditory stimulation. Throughout the sessions, researchers recorded vital signs and neurological activity using wearable sensors, monitoring brain waves, heart activity, and electrodermal responses.
What Did They Find?
While the differences between VAT and AT weren’t statistically significant in terms of overall physiological measures, several intriguing trends emerged:
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Relaxation Trends: VAT appeared to encourage a shift toward relaxation. EEG data revealed an increase in meditation-associated brain activity during VAT, whereas traditional AT was linked to slightly higher attention markers.
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Autonomic Nervous System Response: The VAT sessions prompted a significant change in the alpha coefficient, a measure linked to the autonomic nervous system’s balance. This suggests that VAT may promote parasympathetic (vagal) activity, often associated with rest and recovery.
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Machine Learning Insights: When researchers applied supervised machine learning to the physiological data, they achieved 100% accuracy in distinguishing between stimulated and non-stimulated phases. However, the models could not clearly separate VAT from AT conditions, reflecting the nuanced nature of the body’s response.
Why Does This Matter?
Even in this small sample, VAT showed a promising potential for promoting relaxation and autonomic regulation. While not conclusive, these results offer a valuable stepping stone for future research exploring non-invasive therapies for stress management, mental health, and possibly even chronic pain or neurological conditions.
Looking Ahead
As interest grows in multisensory approaches to health and well-being, this preliminary study highlights the need for more in-depth exploration into how sound as vibration can impact the body. With no adverse effects reported and clear physiological shifts observed, vibroacoustic therapy may hold a unique place in the future of holistic healthcare.
