What are the reported effects of mindful music listening on mood?

There are a variety of positive effects of mindful music listening on mood:

• Mindful music listening can lead to improvements in mood in patients recovering from a stroke. A study investigating the effects of mindful music listening on stroke patients found that participants reported that listening to music helped them relax, control their attention, and regulate their emotions more so than listening to an audiobook. All three study groups (mindful music listening, music listening, and audiobook listening) showed improvement from baseline measurements in both cognition and mood.

• Mindful music listening may improve attention and mood in women with breast cancer. One participant in a mindful music therapy study reported feeling more relaxed, accepting, and positive after listening to music. The study also found a significant reduction in negative mood states, particularly fatigue.

• Mindful music listening can be helpful in the treatment of addiction. A study of women in addiction treatment found that music therapy combined with mindfulness helped participants explore their emotions, decrease stress and anxiety, and improve their mood.

• Mindful music listening may be a viable treatment for depression in older adults.

The sources highlight that music in general, and certain types of music in particular, can positively affect mood.

• Music can evoke positive memories and good energy, leading to more positive moods.

• Music can elevate spirits and soothe anxious minds.

• Listening to music can reduce stress and reconnect people with their bodies and breath.

• Listening to music has been shown to enhance well-being.

Summary: Mindfulness may help individuals focus on music as a stimulus, which can lead to positive changes in mood. E.g. One study found that a mindfulness induction decreased mental distraction and increased awareness of music characteristics, leading to an enhanced focus on the music [1]. - The researchers found that mindfulness may empower listeners to either decrease their affective response if they wish to concentrate, or to increase the intensity of their peak affective experience if they wish to be immersed in the music.

___________________________ [1] Mindfulness and Music: A Promising Subject of an Unmapped Field Article in International Journal of Behavioral Research & Psychology · April 2014, authors: Oscar Lecuona, Complutense University of Madrid (Source: ResearchGate - https://www.researchgate.net/publication/261760244 )