A short-term musical training affects implicit emotion regulation only in behaviour but not in brain activity

Abstract

Background: In everyday life, negative emotions can be implicitly regulated by positive stimuli, without any conscious cognitive engagement; however, the effects of such implicit regulation on mood and related neuro-mechanisms, remain poorly investigated in literature. Yet, improving implicit emotional regulation could reduce psychological burden and therefore be clinically relevant for treating psychiatric disorders with strong affective symptomatology. Results: Music training reduced the negative emotional state elicited by negative odours. However, such change was not reflected at the brain level. Conclusions: In a context of affective rivalry a musical training enhances implicit regulatory processes. Our findings offer a first base for future studies on implicit emotion regulation in clinical populations.