Highlights
- Experimental study with psychosomatic patients (n = 60)
- Vibroacoustic stimulation vs relaxation music
- Increased Theta and decreased Alpha-2 EEG activity
- Associated with positive emotions and focused attention
Study Design
This study evaluated the effects of vibroacoustic stimulation using a Body Monochord compared to relaxation music.
- Population: 60 psychosomatic patients
- Interventions:
- Vibroacoustic stimulation
- Relaxation music (CD)
- Session duration: 20 minutes
- Outcomes:
- Subjective emotional experience
- EEG activity (Theta, Alpha-1, Alpha-2)
What Did They Find?
🧠 Neurophysiological modulation
- Vibroacoustic stimulation led to:
- Increased Theta activity (especially frontal/central regions)
- Decreased Alpha-2 activity
These patterns are associated with:
- Focused attention
- Internal processing
- Deep relaxation states
💆♂️ Emotional experience
- Positive emotional states (joy, safety, well-being):
- Were stronger during vibroacoustic stimulation
- Correlated with a “release of control” state
⚠️ Key nuance
- Effects were dependent on subjective experience
➡️ Greater positive perception → stronger neurophysiological response
Why It Matters
This study highlights that:
👉 Vibroacoustic stimulation engages the brain beyond passive relaxation.
It may:
- Activate attention and emotional networks
- Promote flow-like states
- Integrate body awareness with emotional processing
Unlike music alone, vibroacoustics adds:
- Somatosensory input
- Multisensory integration
- Enhanced neural engagement
Comparison of the “release of control” experience during vibroacoustic stimulation (Body Monochord) and relaxation music (CD) in psychosomatic patients. Vibroacoustic stimulation resulted in significantly higher scores (4.22 vs 3.37; p = 0.002), indicating a deeper relaxation state and greater emotional engagement.
Reference: Sandler H, Tamm S, Fendel U, Rose M, Klapp BF, Bösel R. Positive Emotional Experience: Induced by Vibroacoustic Stimulation Using a Body Monochord in Patients with Psychosomatic Disorders: Is Associated with an Increase in EEG-Theta and a Decrease in EEG-Alpha Power. Brain Topogr. 2016;29(4):524-538. doi:10.1007/s10548-016-0480-8