Bowls and sound baths

• In a randomized trial of 50 adults who scored high for everyday worry, one singing-bowl session brought a larger relaxation response than the comparison sessions.^[1]
• In 62 adults, one sound-meditation session with bowls was followed by less tension, anger and fatigue and a lighter mood. This study had no comparison group.^[2]
• A 2025 review of 19 studies (9 randomized) found bowls may ease worry and low mood and help sleep, and called the evidence preliminary.^[3]

Who took part

Small groups of adults, usually for a single session.

References

1. Rio-Alamos C, Montefusco-Siegmund R, Cañete T, et al. Acute relaxation response induced by Tibetan singing bowl sounds: a randomized controlled trial. Eur J Investig Health Psychol Educ. 2023;13(2):317-330. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36826208/ · n = 50.
2. Goldsby TL, Goldsby ME, McWalters M, Mills PJ. Effects of singing bowl sound meditation on mood, tension, and well-being: an observational study. J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med. 2017;22(3):401-406. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27694559/ · n = 62, no comparison group.
3. Cai Y, Yang G, Liu Y, et al. Therapeutic effects of singing bowls: a systematic review of clinical studies. Integr Med Res. 2025;14(2):101144. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40352083/ · 19 studies.