A team from Keio University has developed a new system that automatically selects personalized, emotionally impactful songs using brainwave data to help alleviate the struggles faced by young people.
A research team from Keio University has created a groundbreaking system designed to enhance emotional well-being by automatically selecting personalized music based on individual brainwave data. This system, known as 'C-BMI', aims to alleviate feelings of discomfort and depression among young people by choosing from a pool of around 7,200 songs that resonate on a personal level. The initiative comes as part of efforts to make music a therapeutic tool for individuals struggling with mental health issues. The researchers intend for this system to be a practical application that can genuinely help young individuals mitigate their emotional struggles through music.
In a recent study, 24 university students participated by listening to seven personalized playlists generated by the system, each lasting 90 seconds. The results indicated that participants experienced an average of 10.5 instances of 'goosebumps' or profound emotional reactions while listening to the optimally selected songs, which was significantly higher than the average of 4.9 'goosebumps' experienced while listening to a non-optimized playlist. Furthermore, participants reported a remarkable 33.9% improvement in stress reduction and relaxation when listening to their personalized playlist compared to the standard selections made by the system.
The creation of these personalized playlists involves gathering and analyzing data beforehand, allowing the system to intelligently curate music tailored to each individual’s preferences and emotional responses. This novel approach to music therapy signifies a promising advancement in utilizing technology and music to support mental health, signaling potential for future applications in therapeutic contexts aimed at improving the lives of many youths who find solace in music during challenging times.
