Authors (including presenting author) :
Lau KL(1)(2), Mok TK(1)(2), Tsang YW(1)(2), Wu CY(1)(2), Wu HY(1)(2)
Affiliation :
(1)Community Psychiatric Service, Sha Tin Hospital
(2)Department of Psychiatric
Introduction :
A sound bathing is typically a way of managing anxiety, depressive level, soothing the nervous system and thoughts out of your consciousness as you connect with your body. Instruments that make deep, resonating vibrations are popular instruments used for sound bathing. These included crystal bowls, Tibetan singing bowls, bells and gongs. These vibrations theoretically lead you deeper into a state of contemplation or relaxation, shutting off your body’s fight-or-flight reflex. The use of sound bathing as a means of inducing positive emotions is employed, subsequent relaxation and reducing feelings of anxiety and stress has been studied extensively by researchers. Tibetan singing bowls is one of the popular instruments for sound bathing in recent year. We applied this sound bathing exercise in psychiatric community setting as a tool to produce positive effects on physiological and psychological aspect of clients.
Objectives :
1. To enhance awareness of physiological change during the practice
2. To implement soothing effect for client during practice
3. To determine the human health effects of sound bathing exercise
4. To investigate the effects of listening to Tibetan music on anxiety and depression client
Methodology :
6 sessions of sound bathing were conducted. Pre and post questionnaires of GAD7 & PHQ9 were employed under home setting. A soundtrack of sound bathing was applied during sessions. Client was selected under criteria of: subjects of 1.) diagnosed anxiety, dysthymia, depression, MADD or GAD were included, 2.) age group from 18years old to 65 years old. 3) No gender consideration 4.) Diagnosed severe mental illness, learning disability, dementia, personality disorder was excluded. A satisfaction survey was also conducted after completion of the project.
Result & Outcome :
A total 15 cases were recruited. Fourteen subjects with mean age 52.1 years were enrolled in this program and one subject dropped out due to mental state deterioration and refused visit after 2 sessions. Findings of paired t tests indicated a statistically significant decrease (p<0.01) in depression
and anxiety level, of which total mean scores (percentage) difference of PHQ-9 and GAD-7 were 6.07 (63.0%) and 4.43 (52.1%) between at baseline and after intervention, respectively. From the satisfactory survey, most patients (92.86%) satisfied to the program, whereas only 7.14% disagreed the program to achieve their goals such as relieving anxiety and depressive mood, improving their sleep quality.
