Abstract

The Effect of Music on Post Operative Stress in Dogs

This experiment seeks to identify if music has an effect on post operative stress in dogs. Post operative stress is being observed because there is a significant correlation between recovery time and post operative stress measurements. What is unique about this experiment is it has NEVER been done before. Similar studies have been conducted on humans to see the effect of music on different kinds of stress, but never has an animal been tested to see if the effect is similar or different. From a historical, theoretical, and programmatic background Beethoven excerpts (from his middle classical period) were chosen based on four conditions: a major key with a fast tempo, a major key with a slow tempo, a minor key with a fast tempo, and a minor key with a slow tempo. Via random assignment, dogs undergoing major invasive surgery are played two minute excerpts of each condition while their heart rate and blood pressure (systolic and diastolic) are measured every thirty seconds. The experiment is still being finished, but the expected results are that heart rate and blood pressure will increase with the minor key and fast tempo as well as major key fast tempo. It is also predicted that the minor key with the slow tempo as well as the major key with the slow tempo will reduce heart rate and blood pressure.