How Predictable Musical Structures Influence Blood Pressure Regulation

A recent study highlights the significant impact of predictable musical phrase structures on blood pressure regulation. Researchers found that blood pressure tends to synchronize more closely with music that features clear, predictable phrases, especially those that are regular and span similar durations to slow breathing patterns. The research, presented at the ESC Congress 2025, involved 92 participants who listened to classical piano pieces performed by master pianists. The study utilized advanced Bayesian algorithms to analyze how features like loudness and tempo influence physiological responses.

Interestingly, the findings revealed that in 25 out of 30 tracks, blood pressure responses were more strongly affected by changes in loudness than by tempo. The more predictable the phrase structures, the higher the synchronization, which may enhance the body's ability to maintain stable blood pressure levels. The piece with the most pronounced effect was Harold Bauer's rendition of Franz Liszt’s transcription of Schubert’s Serenade.

The lead researcher, Professor Elaine Chew, a pianist and Engineer at King's College London, explained that music, much like language, comprises patterns and phrases that evoke emotional and physiological responses. Her previous research demonstrated similar effects on heart rate and respiration, and these new findings extend that understanding to blood pressure regulation.

The methodology involved monitoring blood pressure in 92 participants while they listened to recordings of classical music altered systematically to vary expressivity. A Bayesian algorithm detected the boundaries of musical phrases, allowing researchers to correlate these with physiological data. Results showed that predictability in musical structures fosters enhanced synchronization with blood pressure, potentially offering new avenues for non-pharmacological treatment of high blood pressure.

This research suggests that music with well-defined phrase structures could be used in personalized cardiovascular therapies. Professor Chew emphasizes that synchronization of physiological rhythms with external stimuli like music is rooted in our biological and social nature, akin to how humans coordinate actions with external rhythms in everyday life.

The team plans to explore how these insights can be applied in clinical settings, aiming to develop music-based interventions that could prevent or slow the progression of heart disease, tailored to individual needs. The findings add to the growing recognition of music not just as entertainment but as a potent tool in health management.