26isfam076 10.3205/26isfam076 urn:nbn:de:0183-26isfam0764 Meeting Abstract Pöpel Pöpel Annkathrin A

Institute for Music Research, Zurich University of the Arts, Zürich, Switzerland

author Lebeck-Jobe Lebeck-Jobe Sarah S

Institute for Music Research, Zurich University of the Arts, Zürich, Switzerland

author Russo Russo Diandra D

Institute for Music Research, Zurich University of the Arts, Zürich, Switzerland

author Färber Färber Peter P

Institute for Computer Music and Sound Technology, Zurich University of the Arts, Zürich, Switzerland

author Lutz Hochreutener Lutz Hochreutener Sandra S

Institute for Music Research, Zurich University of the Arts, Zürich, Switzerland

author German Medical Science GMS Publishing House

Düsseldorf

610 20260612 engl This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License. Dieser Artikel ist ein Open-Access-Artikel und steht unter den Lizenzbedingungen der Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License (Namensnennung). M0652 076 International Society for Arts and Medicine The Healing Arts – Forging Alliances of Arts & Medicine Presentation Abstracts Berlin 20260618 20260620 26isfam076 TextBackground: A receptive music therapy intervention using the monochord, an ancient instrument rooted in harmonic principles, has gained renewed scientific interest due to its gentle vibroacoustic properties and regulatory influence on the autonomic nervous system. Research across the lifespan suggests that monochord interventions support emotional regulation and wellbeing in a range of contexts.Objectives: This study synthesizes current evidence on the effects of monochord sounds from neonatal care to end-of-life settings. We present example data from our own study examining stress regulation in healthy adults who listen to monochord sounds.Methods: A structured literature search identified studies investigating monochord interventions across age groups and clinical populations, focusing on physiological, psychological, and relational outcomes. Complementary data from our own study with 56 healthy adult participants were included to illustrate acute stress-regulatory effects.Results: The literature demonstrates benefits such as enhanced brain maturation in preterm infants, emotional support in traumatized children, anxiety reduction in students, and relaxation, and wellbeing in adults. Further applications in oncology, pregnancy, aging, palliative care and for people with intellectual disabilities highlight the instrument’s broad therapeutic relevance. In our study, healthy adults showed significant reductions in perceived stress and physiological arousal following exposure to monochord sounds.Conclusion: The therapeutic application of monochord sounds represents a promising, non-invasive approach to fostering emotional and physiological regulation across the lifespan. Integrating existing evidence with emerging empirical data underscores its potential for wider therapeutic use and future scientific exploration and introduces a new generation to this instrument. 0 0 0 0