The effects of active and passive participation in musical activity on the immune system as measured by Salivary Immunoglobulin A (SIgA)

The purposes of this study were (a) to determine if musical activity would produce a significant change in the immune system as measured by Salivary Immunoglobulin A (SIgA), and (b) to determine if active participation in musical activity had a significantly different effect on the immune system than passive participation. Thirty-three participants (28 women and 5 men) were randomly assigned to one of 3 groups, 2 experimental and 1 control. Active group participants participated in a 30-minute session where they played various percussive instruments and sang. Passive group participants listened to 30 minutes worth of live music. Saliva samples were taken before and after sessions and SIgA concentrations were determined using radial immunodiffusion technique. All groups were found to be significantly different from each other. SlgA levels of the active group showed a significantly greater increase than those of the passive group and the control group, suggesting that active participation in musical activity produces a greater effect on the immune system than passive participation.