Zhao Junya, Li Haojie, Wang Xiaoyan
School of Physical Education, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 310030, China.
Graduate School, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Republic of Korea.
Behav Sci (Basel). 2025 May 19;15(5):699. doi: 10.3390/bs15050699.
This study aimed to investigate the effects of acoustically screened Five-Element Music combined with traditional Chinese mind-body exercises (Taijiquan and Baduanjin) on emotion regulation, working memory, and functional brain connectivity in older adults. A randomized repeated-measures design was employed, recruiting 42 healthy older adults aged 60-70 years. Participants were assigned to five groups: Five-Element Music alone (FE), Taijiquan (TJ), Baduanjin (BDJ), Five-Element Music combined with Taijiquan (FE+TJ), and Five-Element Music combined with Baduanjin (FE+BDJ). Emotion regulation, working memory, and functional brain connectivity were assessed using an emotion regulation choice task, the N-back task, and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), respectively. Five-Element Music was selected using computational acoustic methods to identify music with therapeutic effects. Significant differences were observed in the acceptance rate of emotion regulation for high-intensity unpleasant pictures across different conditions ( = 0.001). Compared to baseline, the acceptance rate was significantly higher in the FE and FE+TJ conditions ( = 0.027, = 0.021). Moreover, the acceptance rate in the FE+TJ condition was significantly higher than in the FE condition alone ( = 0.007). Significant differences were found in the average accuracy of the 2-back task across conditions ( = 0.001), with the FE+TJ condition showing significantly higher accuracy than baseline ( = 0.005). The average reaction time in the 2-back task also differed significantly across conditions ( = 0.001), with the FE condition demonstrating a significantly lower reaction time compared to baseline and the FE+BDJ condition ( = 0.003, = 0.001). Significant differences in functional connectivity (FC) were observed between conditions. Specifically, the FC between CH45 and CH9 and between CH29 and CH6 was significantly higher in the FE+TJ condition than in other conditions ( < 0.02). The combination of Five-Element Music and Taijiquan significantly improved emotion regulation, working memory, and prefrontal-parietal connectivity in older adults. These findings underscore the synergistic benefits of integrating auditory stimulation with mind-body exercise, offering a promising intervention for cognitive and emotional health in aging populations. Future research should investigate long-term effects and broader applications.
本研究旨在探讨声学筛选的五音音乐结合中国传统身心锻炼方法（太极拳和八段锦）对老年人情绪调节、工作记忆及脑功能连接的影响。采用随机重复测量设计，招募了42名年龄在60 - 70岁的健康老年人。参与者被分为五组：单独的五音音乐组（FE）、太极拳组（TJ）、八段锦组（BDJ）、五音音乐结合太极拳组（FE + TJ）以及五音音乐结合八段锦组（FE + BDJ）。分别使用情绪调节选择任务、N - 回溯任务和功能近红外光谱技术（fNIRS）评估情绪调节、工作记忆和脑功能连接。通过计算声学方法选择具有治疗效果的五音音乐。在不同条件下，高强度不愉快图片的情绪调节接受率存在显著差异（ = 0.001）。与基线相比，FE组和FE + TJ组的接受率显著更高（ = 0.027， = 0.021）。此外，FE + TJ组的接受率显著高于单独的FE组（ = 0.007）。在不同条件下，2 - 回溯任务的平均准确率存在显著差异（ = 0.001），FE + TJ组的准确率显著高于基线（ = 0.005）。2 - 回溯任务的平均反应时间在不同条件下也存在显著差异（ = 0.001），FE组的反应时间显著低于基线以及FE + BDJ组（ = 0.003， = 0.001）。在不同条件之间观察到功能连接（FC）存在显著差异。具体而言，FE + TJ组中CH45与CH9之间以及CH29与CH6之间的FC显著高于其他条件（ < 0.02）。五音音乐与太极拳的结合显著改善了老年人的情绪调节、工作记忆和前额叶 - 顶叶连接。这些发现强调了将听觉刺激与身心锻炼相结合的协同益处，为老年人群的认知和情绪健康提供了一种有前景的干预措施。未来的研究应调查其长期影响和更广泛的应用。
