Background

Our goal for this experiment is to compare the effects of computer-generated music vs. commercialized music. We wished to see which type of music would be better suited to relax participants for therapy usage. We aimed to accomplish this by measuring and analyzing data collected from EEG and HB sensors while users listened to commercially available music and computer-composed music aiming to a) calm the participant, b) arouse the participant, and c) allow the participant to focus. 

Our methodology was chosen as it is already well-established that different tempos of classical music have varying effects on brainwave activity. https://impulse.pubpub.org/pub/idmxseha/release/1?readingCollection=ee27bfc0

During our commercially available music trials, we expected to see higher levels of beta brainwave activity as the music tempo increased. Increased levels of beta brainwave activity would indicate that the participant is attentive and concentrating.

For our computer-generated music, we hypothesized that the type of music would have little effect on the brainwaves of our participants. We have yet to analyze the data fully, but it is our that our analysis can aid in the growing field of music therapy.