This study investigated the effects of music and an auditory stimulus on immunoglobulin A (IgA). Groups of college students (N = 66) were exposed to one of four conditions: a 30-min. tone/click presentation; 30 min. of silence; 30 min. of a Muzak tape referred to as “Environmental Music”; and a 30-min. radio broadcast comparable in musical style. Saliva samples collected before and after each 30-min. treatment were assayed for IgA. Analysis indicated significant increases in IgA for the Muzak condition (n = 20) but not for any of the other conditions. Possible mechanisms of action and implications for immunocompetence are discussed.
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