Control Variables

Three participants (1 in RM group and 2 in R group) were excluded from all further analyses as they exhibited levels of cortisol that were more than 3 SD higher than the average. The TSST triggered substantial upsurges in salivary cortisol in all groups over the course of the study. Excluding the control variables, the ANOVA of the measurements that were repeatedly taken during the experiment displayed no major group differences. When the control variables (BDI, ERQ, STAI-trait, TICS) were incorporated, levels of cortisol fluctuated considerably between groups, with maximum values in the RM and lowermost values in the SW see (Figure 3) [1].

Figure 3.

Salivary alpha-amylase responses

 Salivary alpha-amylase Levels

Similar to the salivary cortisol responses, sAA responses escalated considerably during the TSST. There were no substantial changes in sAA responses between the groups, whether the control variables were incorporated or not that were displayed by the ANOVA of the repeated measurements. It was found, however, that the recovery delta between RM and R and between RM and SW was considerably different. While sAA action in the SW and R

Regardless of the inclusion or exclusion of the control variables, no major differences were found between groups based on the ANOVA of the repeated measures. In contrast, it was found that there was a major difference between the recovery delta of RSA in SW and R indicating a quicker return to baseline RSA levels after the TSST in those listening to the sound of rippling water when compared to those who were subject to a period of time without acoustic stimulus (see Figure 5 and Figure 6)