Sensorimotor synchronization to music reduces pain
Fig 2
The experiment used a 2x2 design with the within-subject factors Condition (music, silence) and Task (active, passive), resulting in four experimental trial types: (a) Music Active (music with tapping); (b) Music Passive (music without tapping); (c) Silence Active (silence with tapping); and (d) Silence Passive (silence without tapping). The allocation of the music excerpts to the task (active, passive) was random, and the order of the four experimental trial types was counterbalanced. Specific pain levels were applied on the participants’ fingernails in each of 40 experimental trials using pressure algometry. At the end of each trial (after the presentation of a music excerpt or after a silent period), participants rated (1) their perceived pain, (2) their emotional state with regard to felt pleasantness and (3) felt arousal, as well as (4) their familiarity with the music excerpt (only during trials with music). All ratings were provided on a scale ranging from 1 to 9. After the 40 experimental trials, participants provided preference ratings for each musical excerpt (also using a scale ranging from 1 to 9).