New Study Shows Gospel Music is Helpful in Cardiovascular Treatment for Older African Americans

Advances in Mind-Body Medicine illustrates has published a new study showing how gospel music can "effectively reduce cardiovascular health risks within the African American senior community," according to a press release.

The study happened over the course of 18 months by the Yamaha Music and Wellness Institute. It addressed the burden of heart disease and stroke in African Americans, "which accounts for the largest portion of the inequality in life expectancy between whites and blacks in the U.S., despite the existence of low-cost, highly effective preventative treatments," according the the release.

The study centered on "reducing risk factors for cardiovascular disease through the integration of a church-based program of vocal and instrumental gospel music, as a means for building interpersonal support, camaraderie, and, ultimately, program retention."

The study took place at Rodman Street Missionary Baptist Church, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with 71 African Americans seniors.

The results found that "the gospel music program clearly resulted in more individuals benefiting in the course of the study. Six months after completion of the program, systolic blood pressure reductions across both groups were maintained, signifying a statistically significant enduring effect."

“Evidence is growing that church involvement, in addition to greater access to health interventions, exerts positive and diverse health benefits for African Americans,” said principal investigator, Barry Bittman, MD, CEO of the Yamaha Music and Wellness Institute. “This study is the first to clearly demonstrate that the addition of an engaging Gospel music can effectively serve as a catalyst for promoting retention, engagement, and positive health outcomes.”

For more information, head to http://www.yamahainstitute.org.