Enhancing Emotional Well-being through Active Music Listening: A Study on the Effects of Music Rhythm Games on Mood Improvement in Hong Kong University Students

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Department of Computer Science and Engineering


MPhil Thesis Defence


Title: "Enhancing Emotional Well-being through Active Music Listening: A Study
on the Effects of Music Rhythm Games on Mood Improvement in Hong Kong
University Students"

By

Miss Hoi Ting LEUNG


Abstract:

Anxiety and depression are growing problems worldwide, and the massive
disruption of mental health care services during the COVID-19 pandemic has
highlighted the need for more accessible and convenient digital tools for
mental health care. Music therapy has been recognized as an effective
non-invasive treatment for mental illnesses, but little research has been done
on the therapeutic effects of active music therapy in digital formats.

This paper investigates the effectiveness of active music therapy in a music
rhythm game format for improving mood and examines the impact of five different
song sequencing methods (random, all-relaxed, all-upbeat, upbeat-to-relaxed,
and relaxed-to-upbeat) on therapeutic outcomes. Listening tests were conducted
with 89 subjects (all university students in Hong Kong) to analyze changes in
valence and arousal. The results indicate that all proposed song sequencing
methods positively increased arousal levels, while all methods, except
all-upbeat, significantly increased valence levels. All-relaxed and all-upbeat
gave the best increase in arousal. Upbeat-to-relaxed and relaxed-to-upbeat gave
the best increase in valence. All-relaxed and upbeat-to-relaxed were most
effective in increasing both arousal and valence. The study also found that
tailored recommendations based on subjects' initial arousal and valence levels
and levels of anxiety and depression can further improve therapeutic outcomes.


Date:                   Tuesday, 25 July 2023

Time:                   2:00pm - 4:00pm

Venue:                  Room 3494
                        lifts 25/26

Committee Members:      Prof. Andrew Horner (Supervisor)
                        Prof. Raymond Wong (Chairperson)
                        Dr. Desmond Tsoi


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