Cardiovascular Effects of Music Versus Guided Mindfulness

The investigators will compare changes in systolic and diastolic blood pressure between the curated music playlist and guided mindfulness interventions using an automated oscillometric upper arm blood pressure monitor with measurements taken at 10-minute intervals.

The investigators will compare changes in heart rate between the curated music playlist and guided mindfulness interventions using an automated oscillometric upper arm blood pressure monitor with measurements taken at 10-minute intervals.

Continuous beat-to-beat blood pressure will be recorded using Finometer Model 2 hemodynamic monitoring technology (Finapres Medical Systems, Netherlands) to allow for more detailed characterization of the cardiovascular response to music and mindfulness, potentially capturing effects on systolic and diastolic blood pressure not detected by periodic arm-cuff measurements.

Heart rate will be recorded continuously using the electrocardiogram (ECG) channel of the Finapres NOVA, a non-invasive continuous hemodynamic monitoring technology (Finapres Medical Systems, Netherlands). Heart rate values will be derived from the ECG signal. This will allow for more detailed characterization of the cardiovascular response to music and mindfulness, potentially capturing effects on heart rate not detected by periodic arm-cuff measurements.

The investigators will measure changes in acute anxiety using the State-Trait Anxiety Scale (STAI) - State subscale (form Y1) before and after each intervention. The STAI consists of 20 participant-rated statements, from 1 to 4 (1= Not at all, 4= Very much so) regarding their current anxiety (state). A lower score corresponds to less severity of symptoms.

The investigators will measure changes in common symptoms using the ESAS before and after each intervention. The ESAS consists of 10 common symptoms: pain, tiredness, drowsiness, nausea, appetite, shortness of breath, depression, anxiety, well-being, and other, rated from 0 to 10. A lower score corresponds to less severity of symptoms.

The Barcelona Music Reward Questionnaire (BMRQ) is a validated 20-item questionnaire used to assess individual differences in the rewarding aspects of music listening. Each item is a statement rated on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = "Completely Disagree" to 5 = "Completely Agree"). Higher scores indicate a greater sensitivity to music-related reward. The total and subscale scores will be used to determine whether the extent of music reward experienced by participants predicts the magnitude of cardiovascular impact.

The MUSE questionnaire includes two quantitative items assessing average weekly and daily hours of music listening, as well as three 5-point Likert scale items evaluating the subjective importance of music, frequency of listening, and preference for specific genres. It will be used to characterize participants' music listening habits and attitudes and their relationship to cardiovascular outcomes.

The Mindfulness Adherence Questionnaire (MAQ) is designed to measure the quantity and quality of an individual's mindfulness practice. It includes two quantitative items assessing frequency of formal practice and average duration of each session, as well as ten 5-point Likert scale items evaluating quality of mindfulness practice and time spent being mindful in everyday life, outside of formal sessions. It will be used to evaluate participants' experience with mindfulness and its relationship to cardiovascular outcomes.

The Modified Tellegen Absorption Scale (MODTAS) is a validated 34-item questionnaire designed to measure an individual's engagement or immersion in sensory or imaginative experiences. Each item is rated on a 5-point Likert scale. It will be used to explore whether individual differences in trait absorption predict responsiveness to music and mindfulness interventions.

The investigators will assess subjective enjoyment of each intervention using 10-point visual analogue scales (VAS) administered immediately following each session. Participants will rate their enjoyment on a horizontal scale ranging from 0 ("not at all enjoyable") to 10 ("extremely enjoyable"). Additionally, participants will be asked a series of open-ended questions about their experience of each intervention. Including these measures will allow for assessment of potential preference effects that could influence cardiovascular outcomes.