1* Junior resident 3, Department of Physiology GSVM Medical College, Kanpur
2 Professor, Department of Physiology, GSVM Medical College, Kanpur
3 Professor, Department of Pathology, GSVM Medical College, Kanpur
4 Professor, Department of Community Medicine, GSVM Medical College, Kanpur
5 Associate Professor, Department of Physiology GSVM Medical College, Kanpur
6 Associate professor, Department of Physiology GSVM Medical College, Kanpur
7 Associate Professor, Department of Physiology GSVM Medical College, Kanpur
8 Associate Professor, Department of Physiology GSVM Medical College, Kanpur
Background: Stress is an inevitable component of modern life, particularly among young adults exposed to academic, social, lifestyle pressures. Chronic stress leads to activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, resulting in increased secretion of cortisol, a key stress hormone. Persistent elevation of cortisol is associated with adverse metabolic, cardiovascular, psychological outcomes. Non-pharmacological interventions such as music therapy have gained attention due to their safety, cost-effectiveness and ease of application. Aim: To evaluate the effect of Indian classical instrumental music on serum cortisol levels in young adults. Methodology: A randomized controlled interventional study was conducted on 110 healthy young adults (18–25 years), divided into intervention (n=55) and control (n=55) groups. The intervention group listened to Indian classical instrumental music (Raga-based) for 30 minutes duration (Six days in a week) for 12 weeks. Serum cortisol levels were measured at baseline and post-intervention using ELISA. Statistical analysis was performed using paired and unpaired t-tests. Results: The study demonstrated that the control and intervention both groups showed a statistically significant reduction in serum cortisol levels from pre- to post-intervention . .
Keywords: Cortisol, Stress, Indian Classical Music, Young Adults, HPA Axis, Music Therapy .
How to cite this article: Khan AS, Saxena J, Verma SL, Nigam S, Kumar A, Gupta A, Singh J, Kanawjia P. Impact of Indian Instrumental Classical Music on Serum Cortisol Levels in Young Adults: A Comparative Interventional Study. Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026;16(56s): 854-861. DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.56s.92
Source of support: Nil.
Conflict of interest: None.