Classical music stabilises foetal heart rate patterns, study reveals
Classical music exposure during pregnancy leads to more stable and predictable fatal heart rate patterns, according to groundbreaking research that explores the relationship between musical stimuli and foetal cardiac response using advanced mathematical analysis.
Researchers from multiple Mexican institutions have demonstrated that playing classical music to foetuses’ can modulate heart rate variability, suggesting potential developmental benefits for the autonomic nervous system. The study, published in the journal Chaos on 4 February 2025, employed sophisticated nonlinear recurrence quantification analysis to identify subtle changes in foetal cardiac patterns.
Methodology and measurements
The investigation involved 36 pregnant women who were exposed to two distinct classical pieces: Saint-Saëns’ “The Swan” and Martínez’s “Arpa de Oro.” Using external heart rate monitors, researchers tracked instantaneous beat-to-beat variations rather than traditional averaged measurements, providing deeper insights into autonomic nervous system development.
“Overall, we discovered that exposure to music resulted in more stable and predictable foetal heart rate patterns,” said author Claudia Lerma. “We speculate that this momentary effect could stimulate the development of the foetal autonomic nervous system.”
Cultural influences
Intriguingly, the study revealed differential responses between the two musical selections, with the Mexican guitar melody “Arpa de Oro” demonstrating more pronounced effects on foetal heart rate stability. Author Eric Alonso Abarca-Castro noted that “factors like rhythmic characteristics, melodic structure, or cultural familiarity may be linked to this differentiation.”
Clinical implications
The research suggests potential therapeutic applications for foetal development, with the authors recommending that expectant parents consider incorporating classical music into their prenatal care routine. The immediate nature of the observed cardiac responses indicates that even short-term exposure could yield beneficial effects.
Future research directions
The research team plans to expand their investigation to examine the impact of various musical genres on foetal cardiac response. “To ascertain whether rhythmic or cultural variations elicit distinct foetal cardiac responses, we intend to increase the size of our sample and expand our investigation to include a variety of musical styles beyond classical pieces,” explained author José Javier Reyes-Lagos.
The findings open new avenues for understanding the influence of external stimuli on foetal development and suggest potential applications in prenatal care and developmental monitoring. The study’s use of advanced mathematical analysis tools provides a robust framework for future investigations into foetal responses to various environmental stimuli.
Reference:
Reyes-Lagos, J. J., Mendieta-Zerón, H., Martínez-Madrigal, M., et. al. (2025). Response to music on the nonlinear dynamics of human foetal heart rate fluctuations: A recurrence plot analysis. Chaos, 35(2). https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0236416
