SEOUL, Nov. 3 (Korea Bizwire) - The results of a very unusual study have showed that the sound from a traditional Korean drum can suppress anaphylaxis, an acute symptom of allergic shocks.

Anaphylaxis is a type of acute immune reaction. If anaphylaxis occurs when one is stung by a bee, one can die because of low blood pressure caused by the expansion of blood vessels. As well, the brain could also be damaged due to hypoxia.

A joint research team lead by Professor Kim Hyung-min from Kyunghee University, Dr. Ko Gyung-ja from Chugye University for the Arts, and Professor Jung Hyun-ja from Hoseo University verified the effects of sounds from a traditional Korean drum through animal experiments, and submitted a patent application in the U.S. regarding therapy related to the results. The research paper was published in the latest issue of International Archives of Allergy and Immunology.

As part of the study, drugs that induce anaphylaxis were injected in 10 mice. They were put in a soundproofed room, and five mice were exposed to drum sounds for five minutes, while the other five were exposed to white noise. The mice were then observed for a period of 40 minutes, and the experiment was repeated three times. The drums used in the experiment were Korean traditional drums.

The lethality among mice exposed to drum sounds was lower by 40 percent compared to the comparison group. The mice that were not exposed to drums died within 20 to 30 minutes after anaphylaxis occurred, but the mice that listened to drum sounds survived over 40 minutes.

When analyzing the brain tissue, secretion of histamines, which cause death and low blood pressure, were suppressed among the group that listened to drum sounds, while the group that listened to white noise was not influenced.

The research team commented that the research is meaningful as the effects of the drums could prolong the time until death when anaphylaxis occurs, earning more time to inject a patient with sympathomimetics that induce contractions of the blood vessels.

The researchers also mentioned that the drum sounds could help people suffering from depression, as the sounds are similar to the human heartbeat, and can influence blood pressure, heart rate and the nervous system.

By Francine Jung (francine.jung@kobizmedia.co.kr)