The Effect of Auditory Stimulation on Blood Pressure and Concentration in a Stressful Environment
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, when left untreated, can damage the circulatory system and is a significant contributing factor to heart attacks, strokes, and other health threats (American Heart Association). High blood pressure can be caused by genetics, poor diet or lack of exercise, and stress. Individuals who exhibit frequent, large increases in blood pressure during psychological stress are at risk for developing hypertension (Matthews). The purpose of this experiment was to determine if noise held at different frequencies had an effect on systolic blood pressure and concentration in a stressful environment. Those participants who listened to brown noise, the most level frequency, resulted in the highest negative change in systolic blood pressure, but the three noises tested had the same effect on concentration.
To run this experiment, a researcher would first explain the experiment to help the participant steady his/her blood pressure. Then, an initial blood pressure reading was taken on the participant's non-dominant arm. Then, the participant put on the headphones playing the designated noise, white, pink, or brown, and was allowed to adjust the volume to his/her personal preference. The participant was instructed to flip over the test and begin, having two minutes to answer as much of the test as is possible. Ten seconds before his/her time was finished, the participant’s blood pressure was measured again. Once the participant ran out of time, he/she was instructed to remove the headphones as his/her final blood pressure was taken and recorded.
Research Conducted By:
Adellee Palaspas
Sterling Heights High School
Daria Parsina
Sterling Heights High School
Warren Consolidated Schools