The effects of listening to classical music on dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and subjective anxiety levels in female in-patients with psoriasis

Living with psoriasis can be quite burdensome for the afflicted person. Not only do people face this chronic inflammatory disorder in the form of painful skin impairments [1], but also 17% of psoriasis patients are known to suffer from anxiety disorders [2]. While low concentrations of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) are found to provoke skin diseases [3], patients with anxiety disorders are also known to have lower concentrations of DHEA-S [4]. Having to face psoriasis on two fronts (physical and psychological) makes the treatment more difficult, as treating one does not always treat the other. Listening to classical music has shown promising results in the form of alleviating anxiety [5] and increasing DHEA-S [6].
Measuring the effects of listening to classical music on DHEA-S levels and subjective anxiety was performed in the dermatology department at the Central Clinical Hospital of Military Institute of Medicine in Warsaw. Twenty-seven female patients aged 21–69 signed a consent form and participated in the experiment. Applied exclusion criteria were smoking and pregnancy because they affect hormone concentrations [7, 8]. A total of 12 Sarstedt Salivettes were collected from patients, evenly separated over the control and experiment day. Moreover, collections were made during three sets on both days (morning, afternoon and evening together with 30 minutes after each point). During day 2, a preselected list of classical music was administered during those 30 minutes (in between saliva measurements). Anxiety levels were measured twice (before and after the experiment) using the State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) questionnaire.
Our results showed altogether an increase in mean DHEA-S levels, and higher DHEA-S levels in the morning and afternoon after listening to classical music. STAI results showed no significant changes, which can be accounted for by the very short experiment period. It would be of interest to extend the length of the experiment to measure the effects on the anxiety levels as well.
The aim of this paper was to suggest that listening to classical music might be an additional technique that can be taken into account in the treatment of psoriasis. Previous studies have shown that classical music increases DHEA-S concentration [6] and reduces anxiety levels [5], but no results have been obtained concerning psoriasis patients. Adding classical music, as a routine to a daily schedule, can bring no harm, yet may be...


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