A short-term musical training affects implicit emotion regulation only in behaviour but not in brain activity

Abstract

Background

In everyday life, negative emotions can be implicitly regulated by positive stimuli, without any conscious cognitive engagement; however, the effects of such implicit regulation on mood and related neuro-mechanisms, remain poorly investigated in literature. Yet, improving implicit emotional regulation could reduce psychological burden and therefore be clinically relevant for treating psychiatric disorders with strong affective symptomatology.

Results

Music training reduced the negative emotional state elicited by negative odours. However, such change was not reflected at the brain level.

Conclusions

In a context of affective rivalry a musical training enhances implicit regulatory processes. Our findings offer a first base for future studies on implicit emotion regulation in clinical populations.