Since the late 19th century a lot of research has been done on the physiological
responses to musical stimuli and all has supported the idea that music influences
physiological processes, but the direction of the response pattern has been inconsistent.
The same or similar music can produce positive, negative and occasionally unchanging
physiological responses in different subjects (Dainow, 1977). Hodges (1980) summarized
some contradictory results about heart rate response to music as a stimulus. Of 21 studies
reviewed, seven indicated that heart rate increased in response to stimulative music and
decreased to sedative music. Five experiments suggested that any music, stimulative or
sedative, tended to increase heart rate. Two studies indicated that both stimulative and