Key result
Acoustical stimuli alter heart rate compared to silence, regardless of sound pressure level.
Why the study?
It was unclear whether adults display alterations of cardiac rate under acoustical stimulus conditions and whether such alterations are influenced by signal level.
Does acoustical stimulus alter cardiac rate in adults?
Population
Adults
Comparison
Acoustical stimulus at 20, 40, 60, and 80 dB SPL vs non-stimulus conditions
Design
Experimental study
Authors
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Acoustic stimuli may influence heart rate in adults; Level 5 evidence leaves open clinical relevance and requires controlled trials.
Does acoustical stimulus alter cardiac rate in adults?
Acoustic stimuli alter heart rate in adults, though the response is not dependent on the sound pressure level.
Gerber et al. (1977) studied this question. Acoustical stimulus (narrow band of noise centered at 1000 Hz) vs. Non-stimulus conditions was evaluated on Alterations of heart rate. Acoustical stimuli produced significant alterations in heart rate compared to non-stimulus conditions, though the responses were unaffected by differences in sound pressure level.