Music improvisation modulates emotional memory

Abstract

Music improvisation is a technique frequently used in the music therapy field. Its application involves emotional support, cognitive evaluation or cognitive/motor rehabilitation. However, its effect as a valid treatment to moderate memory has not been studied. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of music improvisation on emotional memory, in adults with or without musical training. Participants watched emotional or neutral images, and rated simultaneously how emotional they felt the images were, from 0 to 10 (nothing to highly arousing). Later, participants were exposed to a treatment (music improvisation, imitation, or silence). Immediately afterwards, recall and recognition were evaluated. After a week, free recall and recognition were tested again. The main findings of this study were that music improvisation improves free recall and recognition of neutral and emotional images. The results also indicated that musicians showed better emotional memory performance than non-musicians.