The Effect of Happy vs. Sad Music on Gait Variability
Advisor Information
Vivien Marmelat
Location
Dr. C.C. and Mabel L. Criss Library
Presentation Type
Poster
Start Date
3-3-2017 9:00 AM
End Date
3-3-2017 10:15 AM
Abstract
The property of music to make people move has been a focus for motor rehabilitation in recent years. Research pertaining to movement pathologies such as Parkinson’s, have shown that entrainment to a rhythmic stimulus aids in temporal stability of gait. Recent studies have demonstrated that music also affects gait variability, or the fluctuations occurring from stride to stride in walking. This key biomechanical feature has also been correlated to walking stability and risk of falls. However, no research has examined how gait dynamics are affected by the emotional content of the music. The emotional content of music can generally be understood as how the pitches present in a piece of music behave. The purpose of this project is to investigate the effects of Happy vs. Sad music on gait dynamics. Understanding how the happiness or sadness of music affects gait may provide insight into further development of music as a stimulus for gait rehabilitation.
The Effect of Happy vs. Sad Music on Gait Variability
Dr. C.C. and Mabel L. Criss Library
The property of music to make people move has been a focus for motor rehabilitation in recent years. Research pertaining to movement pathologies such as Parkinson’s, have shown that entrainment to a rhythmic stimulus aids in temporal stability of gait. Recent studies have demonstrated that music also affects gait variability, or the fluctuations occurring from stride to stride in walking. This key biomechanical feature has also been correlated to walking stability and risk of falls. However, no research has examined how gait dynamics are affected by the emotional content of the music. The emotional content of music can generally be understood as how the pitches present in a piece of music behave. The purpose of this project is to investigate the effects of Happy vs. Sad music on gait dynamics. Understanding how the happiness or sadness of music affects gait may provide insight into further development of music as a stimulus for gait rehabilitation.