Body music.

MUSIC directly affects the heart, arteries and lungs in ways that may be therapeutically useful, a study has shown.

Researchers in Italy who played random classical tracks to 24 volunteers found that music affected the participants' bodies.

Swelling crescendos increased blood pressure and heart and respiration rates, while relaxing passages did the opposite.

Study leader Prof Luciano Bernardi, from the University of Pavia, said: "Music induces a continuous, dynamic and, to some extent, predictable change in the cardiovascular system.

"The profile of music (crescendo or decrescendo) is continuously tracked by the cardiovascular and respiratory systems.

"This is particularly evident when music is rich in emphasis, like in operatic music. These findings increase our understanding of how music could be used in rehabilitative medicine." Half those taking part in the study were experienced singers and half had no musical training..