An Exploration of Physiological Responses to the Native American Flute

TL;DR

This pilot study investigates how playing and listening to Native American flutes affect physiological responses, suggesting potential therapeutic benefits and a need for further clinical research.

Contribution

It provides novel evidence linking Native American flute music to specific physiological changes, highlighting its potential in music therapy.

Findings

Increased HRV during flute playing

Enhanced EEG theta and alpha activity while playing flutes

Decreased beta activity when listening to flute music

Abstract

This pilot study explored physiological responses to playing and listening to the Native American flute. Autonomic, electroencephalographic (EEG), and heart rate variability (HRV) metrics were recorded while participants (N = 15) played flutes and listened to several styles of music. Flute playing was accompanied by an 84% increase in HRV (p < .001). EEG theta (4-8 Hz) activity increased while playing flutes (p = .007) and alpha (8-12 Hz) increased while playing lower-pitched flutes (p = .009). Increase in alpha from baseline to the flute playing conditions strongly correlated with experience playing Native American flutes (r = +.700). Wide-band beta (12-25 Hz) decreased from the silence conditions when listening to solo Native American flute music (p = .013). The findings of increased HRV, increasing slow-wave rhythms, and decreased beta support the hypothesis that Native American flutes, particularly those with lower pitches, may have a role in music therapy contexts. We conclude that the Native American flute may merit a more prominent role in music therapy and that a study of the effects of flute playing on clinical conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), hypertension, anxiety, and major depressive disorder, is warranted.