Management of Hypertension in Rodents by Music Therapy: Recent Perspectives

Hypertension is a major global health challenge and a leading contributor to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Although pharmacological therapies are effective, long-term blood pressure control is frequently limited by adverse effects, poor adherence, and persistent psychosocial stress, encouraging exploration of complementary non-pharmacological approaches. Music therapy has emerged as a low-cost, non-invasive intervention with growing evidence of cardiovascular benefits. Experimental rodent models provide a robust platform for elucidating the mechanistic basis of music-induced blood pressure regulation under controlled conditions. This chapter reviews recent advances in the use of music therapy for hypertension management in rodents, focusing on experimental models, blood pressure assessment techniques, and underlying biological mechanisms. Evidence from genetic, surgical, and chemically induced hypertensive models demonstrates that structured auditory stimulation reduces blood pressure through integrated central and peripheral pathways, including modulation of hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis activity, autonomic balance, vasoactive mediators, oxidative stress, and neuroplastic adaptations. Collectively, recent findings support the translational potential of music therapy as a complementary strategy in hypertension research.