Prosody-Rhythm Synergy and Psychological Healing: The Coherence Mechanism of Linguistic Prosody and Musical Rhythm in the International Dissemination of Chinese "Music-Medicine" and Its Emotion-Regulation Effects
Jing LiangAbstract
Objective
This study investigates the psychological synergy between Mandarin prosody and musical rhythm in the international dissemination of "Chinese + Music Healing." It aims to uncover how their coordinated design enhances emotional engagement, cross-cultural acceptance, and mental well-being outcomes for global audiences, thereby informing effective communication strategies.
Subjects and Methods
A mixed-methods design was employed. First, 20 representative "Chinese + Music Healing" works were acoustically analyzed. Second, 150 international listeners with no Chinese proficiency participated in an experiment, exposed to different versions of the material varying in prosody-rhythm alignment. Their psychological responses were measured using the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), a perceived relaxation scale, and heart rate variability (HRV) monitoring.
Results
A high degree of alignment between Mandarin tone contours and musical melody significantly increased perceived beauty and positive affect (p<0.01). Synchronization of speech rhythm and musical meter led to a 35% greater increase in relaxation scores and more coherent HRV patterns, indicating enhanced parasympathetic response. This synergy also improved listeners' affective attitude towards the Chinese language itself.
Conclusions
The intentional synergy of linguistic prosody and musical rhythm is a core psychological mechanism that amplifies the emotional impact and therapeutic potential of "Chinese + Music Healing" for international audiences. This provides an evidence-based design framework for creators, highlighting that strategic audio design is crucial for promoting mental well-being and fostering positive cultural perception through this medium.
Acknowledgement
Project of Shaanxi Provincial Federation of Social Sciences, 2025 Annual Research Project on "Artificial Intelligence and the Innovative Development of Global Chinese Language Education" - Research on "Chinese + Music Therapy" Vocational Skills Training (No.: 2025HZ1333).
Corresponding Author
Jing Liang, Shaanxi University of International Trade and Commerce, Xi’an 710000, Shaanxi, China.