Effect of music-assisted imagery on neutrophils and lymphocytes

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of cell-specific mental imagery on neutrophil and lymphocyte cell counts. Subjects (N = 30) were randomly assigned to one of two experimental groups that underwent a 6-week training program focusing on images of morphology, location, and movement of either neutrophils or lymphocytes. Music was used to enhance the imagery of the subjects. Peripheral white blood cell and differential counts were determined before and after the final 20-minute imagery session. Results indicated that neutrophils decreased significantly (p less than .04) in the neutrophil-change group while lymphocytes did not. The reverse occurred in the lymphocyte-change group, with only the lymphocytes decreasing significantly (p less than .03). The authors concluded that under the conditions of the present study, cell-specific imagery was associated with decreases in peripheral blood cell counts of lymphocytes and neutrophils.