Music-Based Intervention Shows Promise in Reducing Atrial Fibrillation Burden
Barcelona, Spain – August 28, 2025, 06:20:16 – A novel music-based intervention has demonstrated a potential to reduce the burden of atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common heart rhythm disorder, according to research presented today at ESC Congress 2025. The study, led by researchers at Imperial College London, suggests that specifically designed musical patterns can influence autonomic nervous system activity, potentially mitigating AF episodes.
The research team developed a personalized music intervention based on principles of computational musicology and cardiology. The intervention utilizes musical structures designed to resonate with and modulate the heart’s natural rhythms. Participants with paroxysmal AF were exposed to these tailored musical pieces for a defined period, and their AF burden was monitored using implantable loop recorders.
Preliminary findings indicate a statistically significant reduction in AF episode duration and frequency among participants receiving the music-based intervention compared to a control group. Researchers hypothesize that the carefully crafted musical patterns influence the autonomic nervous system, promoting a more balanced state and reducing the likelihood of AF initiation and propagation.
“Our findings suggest that music, when designed with a deep understanding of cardiac physiology, can be a powerful tool in managing atrial fibrillation,” said Dr. Cotic,lead author of the study. “This is a entirely new approach to AF management, moving beyond traditional pharmacological and invasive interventions.”
Further research is planned to validate these findings in larger, multi-center trials and to explore the optimal musical parameters for individual patients. The team also aims to investigate the long-term effects of the music-based intervention on AF recurrence and quality of life.
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Funding: European Research Council as part of the COSMOS (Computational Shaping and Modeling of Musical Structures) project
Disclosures: Ms. Cotic reports doctoral research support from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). Prof. Chew, Dr. Pope, and Dr.Soliński report research support from the European Research Council (ERC, 788960). Prof. Chew and Prof.Lambiase also received support from the ERC (957532) for this research.
Prof Chew served as an advisor/consultant and/or received honoraria outside of this research for academic/research programme reviews for Georgia Institute of Technology, Institut de Recherch et Coordination Acoustique / Musique, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Nanyang Technological University; grant reviews for the ERC, Harvard Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, national science Foundation; and speaker/performer for a Biotronik event.
prof Lambiase receives research support outside of the present study from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and British Heart Foundation (BHF).