Real-time dynamic analysis of EEG Response for Live Indian Classical Vocal Stimulus with Therapeutic Indications

Numerous studies have been conducted on the connection between music and the brain, and it has been established that listening to music directly affects brain activity and stimulation. The potential benefits of music therapy, which uses music as a tool for healing and fostering well-being, have come to light in a number of circumstances. However, there is a gap in understanding the effects of Indian classical music (ICM) on the brain and its therapeutic applications. Yaman and Puria Dhanashree were the two chosen ragas, which share same notes (swaras) and differs in two of their counter notes. The brain responses are captured from five volunteers through 24 channel Electroencephalogram (EEG) cap using a smartphone, which is utilized to allocate electrodes to different regions of the brain. In this work, different automated approaches for identifying brain regions evoked to live ICM stimuli are proposed, considering input and output uncertainties. These approaches are based on automated energy and Mahalanobis distance measurements, and, a region-specific real-time algorithm based on eigen perturbation, which provides a measure to capture the time evolution of brain activity. This identification is relevant in understanding dynamic changes in brain responses during musical experiences providing a more comprehensive perception and processing of ICM in the human brain. Also, significant change in beta band power reduction was observed after music. These approaches can help integrate it into evidence-based music therapy for cognitive, emotional, and psychological conditions. The findings of this study provide evidence indicating ragas activate different brain regions based on listener’s musical knowledge and is a first step for mhealth based applications.