Previous studies have already demonstrated that auditory stimulation with music influences the cardiovascular system. In this study, we described the relationship between musical auditory stimulation and heart rate variability. Searches were performed with the Medline, SciELO, Lilacs and Cochrane databases using the following keywords: "auditory stimulation", "autonomic nervous system", "music" and "heart rate variability". The selected studies indicated that there is a strong correlation between noise intensity and vagal-sympathetic balance. Additionally, it was reported that music therapy improved heart rate variability in anthracycline-treated breast cancer patients. It was hypothesized that dopamine release in the striatal system induced by pleasurable songs is involved in cardiac autonomic regulation. Musical auditory stimulation influences heart rate variability through a neural mechanism that is not well understood. Further studies are necessary to develop new therapies to treat cardiovascular disorders.

Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2012 Aug;67(8):955-8. Valenti VE, Guida HL, Frizzo AC, Cardoso AC, Vanderlei LC, Abreu LC. Departamento de Fonoaudiologia, Faculdade de Filosofia e Ciências, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Marília, SP, Brazil.

Full title: Efficacy observation on osteoarthritis of the knee treated with the ultrastructural acupotomy therapy at the counter-Ashi points.

To compare the difference in the efficacy on osteoarthritis of the knee between the ultrastructural acupotomy therapy at the counter-Ashi points and the conventional acupuncture-moxibustion therapy. Sixty cases were randomly devided into an ultrastructural acupotomy therapy group (group A) and a conventional acupuncture-moxibustion group (group B), 30 cases in each one. In the group A, the ultrastructural acupotomy therapy was applied to the counter-Ashi points in which pain was alleviated or disappeared on pressure. The treatment was given once a week, lasting for 1 month. In the group B, the acupuncture-moxibustion therapy was applied to Dubi (ST 35), Neixiyan (EX-LE 4), Zusanli (ST 36), Yanglingquan (GB 34), etc. The treatment was given once daily, lasting for 1 month. Before and after treatment, the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Lysholm knee joint scale and the affected knee joint flexion angle were observed in the two groups. The clinical efficacy was compared between the two groups. After treatment, the scores of VAS, Lysholm knee joint scale and the affected knee joint flexion angle were improved obviously as compared with those before treatment in either group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). The results of them in the group A were superior apparently to those in the group B (all P < 0.05). The total effective rate in the group A was superior to that in the group B [80.0% (24/30) vs 60.0% (18/30), P < 0.05]. The ultrastructural acupotomy therapy at the counter-Ashi points achieves the superior clinical efficacy on osteoarthritis of the knee as compared with the conventional acupuncture therapy. It relieves pain and improves the motion range of knee joint effectively. It is simple in operation and less in treatment frequency.

Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 2012 Jul;32(7):621-4. Liu MR, Li L, He ZW. Department of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan University of CM, Changsha 410007, China.