Guinea+Pigs+and+Music

**Seth Buckwalter and Biology Class Fall 2011** //Science Department. Lancaster Mennonite High School//
 * Effects of types of music on the respiration rate of Guinea Pigs **

**Abstract** A study was done to determine if types of music has an effect on the respiration rate of guinea pigs. Two guinea pigs were used (one male, one female). Five types of music were tested (screamo ,rap, rock, techno, and smooth jazz) The study indicated that screamo, rap, and techno music has a significant effect on respiration rate. Screamo reduced rate, while rap and techno increased the rate. **Introduction** Respiration rate is the number of breaths taken by an individual over a period of time. It is considered to be a vital sign that is useful for determining the overall health of an individual. Music has been known to have an influence on respiration rate in humans. Ellis found that jazz music increased respiration rate while classical music could slow respiration rate. Guinea pigs are a mammal that is often used in respiratory research. They are readily available and easy to take care of. To further the study of the effects of different types of music on respiration rates, the present study looked at six types of music and how they influence the respiration rate of Guinea Pigs. **Method** Two guinea pigs were used for the study. One was a mature male and one a mature female. As a control, a base line respiration rate was taken for each guinea pig using a respiration chamber with soda lime to absorb the CO2 that was produced. Each test was taken until 15mL of new gas had entered the chamber. After the base respiration rate was determined, the respiration rates of the guinea pigs was taken while they were exposed to different types of music. The types of music were sceamo, rap, rock, techno, and smooth jazz. **Results** Table 1: Table showing the respiration rates (mL CO2 produced/ min) of both the male and female guinea pigs under different condition.
 * || Control || Screamo || Rap || Rock || Techno || Smooth Jazz ||
 * Male || 6.08 || 4.48mL/min || 7.75mL/min || 6.60 mL/min || 7.43mL/min || 5.14mL/min ||
 * % change ||  || -26% || +27% || +8.5% || +22% || -15% ||
 * Female || 5.88mL/min || 3.98 mL/min || 7.09mL/min || 6.16 mL/min || 6.34mL/min || 5.17mL/min ||
 * % change ||  || -32.3% || +20.1% || +4.8% || +7.8 || -12% ||

The tests showed that both the scream study and the smooth jazz study had decreases in respiration rate for both the male and female guinea pigs. Rap, Rock, and Techno all showed increases in respiration rate for both the male and female. Overall, the male guinea pig seamed to show greater changes in respiration rate that the female. The changes in respiration rate for rock and smooth jazz did not show significant changes in respiration rates (>20% would be significant). Screamo and Rap showed significant changes in both the male and female guinea pigs. Techno had a significant effect on the male, but not the female. **Discussion** Screamo showed significant lowering of the respiration rate. This was not what was expected. Screamo is a fast paced type of music and it was expected that faster music would increase the respiration rate. The scream song that was chosen did not have a heavy beat, and the lack of a beat may have been what led to the unexpected results. Both rap and techno music showed significant increases in respiration rate. This was what was expected. Both the rap and techno music chosen had heavy beats, which supports the idea of the beat being as important as the type of music. More research should be done with more tests, and a focus should put on to the effects of different types of beats. Overall this study provided a good start for future research.

**References**
 * 1) Ellis, Douglas S. Effects of Music on Respiration and Heart Rate. The American Journal of Psychology: Vol. 65, No. 1 pg 39, 1952
 * 2) GUINEA PIGS:MODELS AND USES IN RESEARCH. Washington University. Web. Sept 22, 2011
 * 3) Vital Signs (Body Temperature, Pulse Rate, Respiration Rate, Blood Pressure). The Ohio State University Medical Center. Web. Sept 22, 2011.