Effect of Flute Music on Anxiety of Secondary School Students in Namchi, Sikkim: An Experimental Study

Authors:

Benoy Sunuwar & Yodida Bhutia

Pages: 19 - 25

Abstract:

This study explores the impact of flute music, specifically by Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia, on reducing anxiety among secondary school students in Namchi. Music has been recognized for its therapeutic benefits, particularly in regulating emotions and improving well-being. Historically, music education was integral to Greek society, serving both spiritual and martial purposes. In modern contexts, music therapy has proven effective in treating various psychological issues, including anxiety. The study employed a quantitative experimental research design with a pretest-posttest control group design. A sample of 20 students was randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The experimental group was exposed to flute music for 20 minutes over 15 days, while the control group received no intervention. Anxiety levels were measured using the Beck Anxiety Inventory, assessing four dimensions: neurophysiological, subjective, panic, and autonomic anxiety. Results showed a significant reduction in anxiety levels in the experimental group across all dimensions, while the control group showed no significant changes. This indicates that flute music effectively alleviates anxiety symptoms such as numbness, tingling, wobbliness, dizziness, unsteadiness, trembling, shakiness, fear, nervousness, heart pounding, choking, difficulty breathing, fear of dying and face flushing. Furthermore, the study found no significant gender differences in the effects of the music intervention. This research fills a gap in the existing literature by focusing on the effects of flute music on a younger population in a place like Namchi, highlighting the therapeutic potential of music in educational settings. The findings showed that the use of music therapy is a viable tool for reducing anxiety and enhancing psychological well-being among students.