本研究的目的在於檢驗「活潑快板與柔和慢板音樂降低女大學生壓力反應的效果」；其中，活潑快板音樂(Vivace-Allegro, VA)與柔和慢板音樂(Antante-Adagoi, AA)為實驗組；控制組分為無聲控制組(No-music Control, NC)與聲音控制組(Sound Control, SC)；依變項為壓力反應，包括生理(physiological)與心理(psychological)反應；生理反應包含心跳率(heart rate, HR)、指溫(finger temperature, FT)、以及膚電反應(skin conduction response, SCR)，心理反應包括焦慮(anxiety, ANX)、憂鬱(depressive symptoms, DEP)、以及專注力(concentration, CON)。研究對象為成大護理學系自願參加的女生共90人，採隨機分派(randomized)、單次實驗介入(single trial experimental intervention)、前後測(pre- and posttest)之研究設計來驗證本研究的目。
研究結果發現，本研究採用的壓力操弄方法可有效引發急性壓力(acute stress)，提高心跳率、膚電反應、以及焦慮反應，降低指溫，不影響憂鬱反應與專注力，符合本研究預期。處於急性壓力狀態下的受試者接受音樂介入後，無論聆聽活潑快板音樂或柔和慢板音樂均比沒有接受音樂介入的控制組更可回復壓力引發之心跳率、指溫、以及焦慮反應。最後，將針對研究結果進行討論並提出實務上的建議。

Context. Many investigators claimed the effectiveness of stress reduction when andante (slow tempi) and adagio (flowing melodies & soft dynamics) instrumental music was employed in the listening programs. Some music therapists recommended that the patient’s physiological and mental tempo ought to match the music tempo to gain the most beneficial effects. Such recommendation, as revealed in the earlier “iso-principle”, predicted that the anxiety patients, characterized by irritability and agitation, could be stimulated when they heard the vivace and allegro music. However, an andante and adagio music produced rejection or indifference in these patients.
Objective. The present study aimed to examine both the physiological and psychological responses in a stress situation and the modulating effects of Vivace-Allegro and Andante-Adagio music on these stress-associated responses.
Design. A randomized, physiological/psychological measure, single trial experimental intervention with control groups.
Setting. Music Therapy Laboratory located at National Chung Kung University, College of Medicine in Tainan, Taiwan.
Participants. Ninety female college students with a mean age of 22 years were recruited.
Intervention. Interventions of music listening following the experimental stress.
Main Outcome Measures. Pre- and postintervention measurements of heart rate, finger temperature, skin conduction response, anxiety, depression, and concentration.
Results. Physiological/psychological measure alterations following our stress-induced protocol confirmed the validity of the acute stress situation used. The stress situation enhanced the heart rate, skin conduction response, and self-report anxiety, while decreased the finger temperature. The music listening groups exhibited more dramatic decreases in heart rates and anxiety as compared to control groups.
Conclusions. Listening to an episode of music, regardless of Vivace-allegro or Andante-Adagio music, may effectively reverse acute stress-induced changes in heart rate, finger temperature and anxiety.

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