In a groundbreaking study published in BioMedical Engineering OnLine, researchers have unveiled fascinating insights into how music interventions can influence brain connectivity in individuals suffering from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This debilitating condition, characterized by repeated blockage of the upper airway during sleep, disrupts normal breathing patterns and has dire consequences for cardiovascular and neurological health. By employing advanced EEG brain connectivity analyses, the study sheds new light on the neural underpinnings of music’s therapeutic potential in mitigating OSA-related disruptions.
Obstructive sleep apnea affects millions worldwide, significantly impairing sleep quality and increasing the risk of severe health events such as heart attacks and strokes. Despite widespread awareness, non-invasive interventions to ameliorate the neurological impact of OSA remain limited. This pioneering research leverages the intricate relationship between auditory stimuli and brain function, focusing on how classical Indian ragas—specifically Neelambari and Kapi—modulate cortical connectivity patterns in OSA patients.
The study involved collecting electroencephalogram (EEG) data from twelve subjects diagnosed with OSA, under three distinct conditions: listening to the raga Neelambari, listening to Kapi, and a control condition with no music. EEG, a non-invasive technique capturing electrical activity produced by brain neurons, provided detailed insights into regional brain dynamics influenced by these musical interventions. The researchers meticulously pre-processed EEG signals using bandpass and notch filters to eliminate noise and artifacts, ensuring high-fidelity data for analysis.
To dissect the EEG signals, the team employed wavelet packet decomposition (WPD), an advanced time-frequency domain method that isolates EEG sub-bands critical for understanding brain connectivity. These sub-bands—delta, theta, alpha, and beta—are associated with different cognitive and physiological functions. By focusing on these distinct frequencies, the researchers could assess how musical exposure modulates functional interactions within the brain’s networks.
Brain connectivity was analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficients calculated from the absolute values of WPD detail coefficients. This quantitative approach enabled the team to construct connectivity matrices representing the strength of synchronization between various brain regions. Further application of graph theory metrics, particularly node strength, allowed for a nuanced interpretation of frequency-specific neural communication patterns.
Remarkably, the data revealed significantly increased connectivity in the right hemisphere’s frontal and temporal regions—specifically electrodes F8, FC6, and T8—during exposure to Neelambari music. The beta frequency band, often linked with active concentration and cognitive engagement, exhibited correlation values ranging from 0.943 to 0.998. Similarly, the delta band, associated with deep sleep and restorative processes, showed robust correlations between 0.945 and 0.999, indicating profound neural synchronization.
In comparison, the alpha and theta bands, typically connected to relaxation and drowsiness, displayed moderate but meaningful correlations during Neelambari listening sessions, ranging from 0.746 to 0.996. This suggests that Neelambari not only stimulates higher-order cognitive processing but also promotes states conducive to restful neural recovery—both critical in addressing OSA’s detrimental effects.
Contrastingly, Kapi music elicited lower overall correlation values across all EEG bands, denoting less pronounced neural synchronization. The higher correlation indices during Neelambari underscore its superior potential to enhance brain connectivity and potentially counterbalance the cognitive deficits associated with sleep apnea. These findings open avenues for integrating specific music therapies into clinical management plans for OSA patients.
The implications of this research extend beyond sleep disorders, suggesting music’s ability to modulate brain networks dynamically could have far-reaching applications in neurorehabilitation and cognitive enhancement. By boosting connectivity in key regions responsible for attention, memory, and emotional regulation, music listening may serve as a low-cost, non-invasive adjunct treatment to improve quality of life among patients struggling with various neurological conditions.
Importantly, the study’s use of objective, quantitative metrics marks a significant advancement in the evaluation of music-based interventions. The combination of WPD and graph theory offers a powerful framework to decode complex brain activities, moving the field closer to personalized, evidence-based applications of auditory stimuli for neurological health.
While promising, the research is based on a relatively small sample size, warranting further studies involving larger, more diverse populations to validate and generalize the findings. Future work could also explore long-term effects of sustained music therapy and potential synergies with conventional OSA treatments such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).
This innovative investigation by Rajeswari, Navaneethan, Sreedhar, and colleagues exemplifies the growing intersection of neuroscience, bioengineering, and musicology. Their work not only illuminates the hidden power of sound to rewire dysfunctional brain networks but also inspires a fresh perspective on combating widespread sleep disorders through the universal language of music.
As the global burden of sleep apnea continues to rise, these insights provide a beacon of hope, suggesting that therapeutic sounds might one day form an integral part of multidisciplinary approaches to restore healthy brain function. The neurophysiological evidence supporting Neelambari’s efficacy invites both clinicians and researchers to rethink traditional paradigms and embrace the harmonizing potential of music in medicine.
Subject of Research: Impact of music interventions on brain connectivity in obstructive sleep apnea patients
Article Title: Music interventions and obstructive sleep apnea: a brain connectivity analysis
Article References:
Rajeswari, J., Navaneethan, S., Sreedhar, P.S.S. et al. Music interventions and obstructive sleep apnea: a brain connectivity analysis. BioMed Eng OnLine 24, 45 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12938-025-01382-9
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