Electroencephalographic power spectrum and intersubject correlation on acoustic stimulation with modes of Indian music: A randomised controlled trial

Objectives: There is variation in the level of engagement among individuals during any sensory experience, including listening to music. This current randomised controlled triple-blind study employed Indian music to understand electroencephalogram (EEG) based inter-brain synchronisation. Materials and Methods: Four groups (three music interventions: mode or raga Miyan ki Todi, Malkauns and Puriya and one control group) were compared, with 35 participants in each group. EEG power spectrums before intervention (BI), during intervention (DI) and after intervention (AI) acoustic were analysed for correlated components (C1, C2 and C3), and scores of Inter-subject correlation (ISC). Results: Left frontal gamma power increased with raga Malkauns DI. Raga Miyan ki Todi showed a frontal increase in beta1 power, and raga Puriya showed a decrease in right frontoparietal delta power AI. The raga Malkauns and Miyan ki Todi groups showed decreased C1 (globally distributed low-frequency activity) and increased C2 (posteriorly dominant alpha-beta1 activity) power. Raga Puriya showed a weak decrease in C1 and ISC scores and a marginal drop in C3 (peripherally dominant broad-band activity) AI. Conclusion: The findings demonstrate specific mode-dependent correlated EEG components that persist after the listening period. The short-term effects were postulated due to default-mode network activity and autobiographical memory. Overall, this study adds to our understanding of the effects of Indian music on the brain.