Recent research led by psychology experts Danielle K. Mullen and Frank A. Russo at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU), in collaboration with LUCID, a digital therapeutics innovator from TMU's Zone Learning ecosystem, has unveiled exciting findings on the therapeutic potential of music in managing anxiety.
Exploring Music as a Therapeutic Tool
Anxiety is a prevalent issue, affecting countless individuals globally. Traditional treatments like medications and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) often come with challenges, including side effects, high costs, and lengthy treatment durations. To address these hurdles, researchers have turned to music-based digital therapeutics, offering an accessible and cost-effective solution for anxiety relief through guided listening experiences that can be utilized in various settings.
Clinical Trial Reveals Optimal Listening Duration
The study involved 144 participants with moderate anxiety traits, all of whom were already on medication for symptom management. They were randomly assigned to one of four listening conditions:
- Pink noise (24 minutes; control)
- Music with ABS (12 minutes)
- Music with ABS (24 minutes)
- Music with ABS (36 minutes)
Participants completed standardized assessments before and after their listening sessions to evaluate changes in anxiety levels and mood.
Identifying the 24-Minute Optimal Session
Findings indicated that listening to music with ABS significantly alleviated both cognitive and physical symptoms of anxiety compared to the pink noise control. Participants also noted enhancements in their negative mood. Notably, the 24-minute listening session yielded the most substantial reduction in anxiety, closely matching the effects of the longer 36-minute session while outperforming the 12-minute option.
Professor Russo, who serves as TMU's Chief Science Officer at LUCID, stated, "Our results suggest a dose-response pattern where approximately 24 minutes of music with ABS appears to be the ideal duration. It effectively lowers anxiety levels without demanding excessive time from listeners."
The research titled "Investigating the dose-response relationship between music and anxiety reduction: A randomized clinical trial" was published in PLOS Mental Health on January 21, 2026.
This innovative approach to anxiety management through music could pave the way for future therapies that are both effective and easily accessible, transforming how we approach mental health care.