Effect of Relaxing Music on Blood Pressure and Resting Heart Rate

Music group (N=15) will receive listen to music therapy passively for 20 minutes/day, 5 days/week for 4 weeks, along with lifestyle modifications. Music therapy will be provided via headphones in an isolated quiet non-disrupted room, with room temperature maintained between 20-22 degree Celsius and having medium light intensity. Participants would be instructed to listen to music with eyes closed in sitting position, back supported in comfortable position on a chair. The participants will be given 5 minutes' rest in sitting position before and after each music therapy session.

Control group (N=15) would receive only lifestyle modification. Handout of lifestyle modification according to the Seventh Joint National Committee (JNC VII) report guidelines will be given to all participants. Participants would be instructed to not participate in any form of physical activity and to focus only on two components from the guideline which includes practice the DASH eating plan (diet rich in fruits and vegetables, low fat dairy or unsaturated fat) and limit the daily sodium intake (less than 100 mmol per day).