Effects of a 2-week Relaxing Music Intervention on Anxiety, Stress, and Gut Symptoms in Aerobic Exercisers

Old Dominion University19 enrolled

Overview

The objective of the study is to determine the impacts of a 2-week relaxing music intervention on stress, anxiety, and gut symptoms in individuals who regularly perform structured aerobic exercise. Gut symptoms like bloating, reflux, cramping, nausea, etc. are relatively common during prolonged aerobic exercise. In addition, previous research has established that levels of anxiety and stress are associated with a higher occurrence of these gut symptoms. Relaxing music has reduced anxiety in certain populations, but currently, no studies are available on its effects on anxiety, stress, and gut symptoms in people who regularly do aerobic exercise.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Gastrointestinal System--Abnormalities Anxiety Visceral Pain

Interventions

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * be at least 18 years of age * do 120+ minutes per week of planned/structured aerobic exercise of at least moderate intensity * have had at least mild anxiety over the past 2 weeks (GAD-7 score of 5 or more) * not currently on a psychotropic medication, or if they are on one, they must have been on a stable dose for the past three months * not currently listening to music for relaxation purposes regularly (\>60 minutes per week) * have at least sometimes experienced gut symptoms (nausea, gas, bloating, cramping, side stitching, urge to defecate, etc.) during aerobic exercise sessions over the last month * have access to the internet Exclusion Criteria: * not at least 18 years of age * don't do 120+ minutes per week of planned/structured aerobic exercise of at least moderate intensity * haven't had at least mild anxiety over the past 2 weeks (GAD-7 score of 5 or more) * have recently started taking a psychotropic medication (within past 3 months) * currently listening to music for relaxation purposes regularly (\>60 minutes per week) * have never or rarely experienced gut symptoms (nausea, gas, bloating, cramping, side stitching, urge to defecate, etc.) during aerobic exercise sessions over the last month * don't have internet access

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Change in gastrointestinal symptom severity

The severity of several gastrointestinal symptoms will be assessed on a validated 0-10 scale.

Time frame: The intervention will last 2 weeks. Gastrointestinal symptoms will be collected for a 1-week period before the intervention and during the 2nd week of the intervention

Change in anxiety levels

Levels of anxiety will be assessed with the General Anxiety Disorder-7 questionnaire. Scores on the General Anxiety Disorder-7 range from 0 to 21, with higher scores indicating higher levels of anxiety.

Time frame: The intervention will last 2 weeks. The General Anxiety Disorder-7 will be assessed before the intervention begins and again after 2 weeks.

Secondary Outcomes

Change in visceral sensitivity

Perceptions of visceral sensitivity will be assessed via the Visceral Sensitivity Index. Scores on the Visceral Sensitivity Index can range from 0 to 75, with higher scores indicating a higher level of visceral sensitivity.

Time frame: The intervention will last 2 weeks. The Visceral Sensitivity Index will be assessed before the intervention begins and again after 2 weeks.

Change in perceived stress

Perceived life stress will be evaluated with the Perceived Stress Scale 14. Scores on this scale can range from 0 to 56, will higher scores indicating greater amounts of stress.

Time frame: The intervention will last 2 weeks. The Perceived Stress Scale 14 will be assessed before the intervention begins and again after 2 weeks.