Effects of Playing Angklung and Practicing Silence on Emotion, Cognition and Oxytocin Levels in Children: A Preliminary Study

• Main Authors: Margarita M Maramis, Margarita, Yunias Setiawati, Yunias, Nining Febriyanti, Nining, Munawaroh Fitriah, Munawaroh, Atika, Atika, Rasyid Salim, Rasyid, Budi Kristianto, Budi, Nyoman Sumiati, Nyoma, Vista Nurasti Pradanita, Vista, Elisabet Citra Dewi, Elisabe, Sheila Maryam Gautama, Sheila, MY Safira Nugroho, Nugroho, Jakobus Gerick Pantouw, Jakobus
• Format: Article PeerReviewed
• Language: English; Indonesian; English; English
• Published: Universiti Sains Malaysia 2021
• Subjects: R5-920 Medicine (General)
• Online Access: https://repository.unair.ac.id/124361/1/03.%20Effects%20of%20Playing%20A.pdf; https://repository.unair.ac.id/124361/2/C-3.pdf; https://repository.unair.ac.id/124361/3/03.%20Effects%20of%20Playing%20Angklung.pdf; https://repository.unair.ac.id/124361/7/3.%20Angklung_emails%20%281%29.pdf; https://repository.unair.ac.id/124361/; http://www.mjms.usm.my/current.html; https://doi.org/10.21315/mjms2021.28.3.10
• Institution: Universitas Airlangga

Abstract Background Playing angklung, an Indonesian traditional musical instrument and practicing silence have been shown to exert beneficial effects on emotion and cognition; the mechanism of such an effect possibly involve oxytocin. To date, only a few clinical and biomolecular studies have investigated the effects of playing angklung and practicing silence. This study aimed to examine the effects of playing angklung and practicing silence on human emotion and cognition and on oxytocin levels. Methods This experimental study involved 61 Fourth Grade students from Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia. The participants were divided into two groups: the angklung intervention group and silence intervention group. The two interventions were performed for 15 min before the morning classes for 2 months. The control group attended their classes as usual. Clinical parameters, namely, emotion and cognition, as well as the saliva oxytocin levels were measured. Results No significant differences were observed among the three groups in terms of concentration and cognitive flexibility. However, changes in oxytocin levels significantly differed among the three groups (P < 0.001) and the oxytocin levels were highest in the silence intervention group. Conclusion Practicing silence significantly increased the oxytocin levels, but it did not elicit changes in cognitive function and emotion of the students.