Effects of Listening to Music on Postural Balance in Middle-Aged Women

Background: The current study aimed to investigate the effect of music on both static, under different sensory manipulation, and dynamic balance in middle-aged women. Methods: Twenty-four healthy women aged between 50 and 55 years (52.5 ± 2.7years; height: 1.56 ± 0.8m; weight: 78.3 ± 6.5kg) participated in this study. A stabilometric platform was used to assess their static balance by recording the mean center of pressure velocity (CoP Vm ) during bipedal standing with eyes open (OE) and closed (CE) on firm and foam surfaces under two auditory conditions (no music, listening to Mozart's Jupiter). The timed up and go test (TUGT) was used to assess their dynamic balance. Results: Our results showed that listening to Mozart’s Jupiter significantly decreased the CoP Vm values in different sensory manipulation conditions [firm surface/ EO: (p < 0.01; 95% CI: 0.27 to 2.22); firm surface/ EC: (p < 0.05; 95% CI: 0.02 to 1.97); foam surface/ EC: (p < 0.001; 95% CI: 0.48 to 2.44)], except for the foam surface/EO condition. The TUGT scores were also significantly (p < 0.001; 95% CI: 0.47 to 0.72) decreased while listing to Mozart’s symphony compared to no music condition. Conclusion: We concluded that listening to Mozart’s symphony improved postural performance in healthy middle-aged women, even in challenged postural conditions. These enhancements could offer great potential for everyday functioning.