What the Latest Research Says About Singing Bowls

Academic research into the benefits of sound healing is still in its early days, but a new review published in Integrative Medicine Research (2025) is helping to build the scientific picture. The paper — “Therapeutic Effects of Singing Bowls: A Systematic Review of Clinical Studies” — looked at 19 clinical studies from around the world exploring how singing bowls are used in therapy and what impact they can have on body and mind.

Playing Singing Bowls

What the research found

Across the studies, people used singing bowl therapy for a wide range of reasons, from Parkinson’s disease and pain relief to anxiety, depression, and sleep problems. Although each study varied in size and method, a few clear patterns emerged:

• Improved mood and reduced anxiety — several studies showed noticeable drops in stress, tension, and anxiety levels.

• Better sleep quality — especially when singing bowl sessions were paired with calming practices like yoga or meditation.

• Cognitive support — some groups, including people with Parkinson’s disease, showed improvements in memory and focus.

• Deep relaxation — participants often reported a sense of peace, stillness, and restored energy after sessions.

• Safe and gentle — none of the studies reported negative side effects.

  
  

A growing field of sound therapy

Researchers describe singing bowl therapy as a form of vibroacoustic healing, where gentle sound frequencies and physical vibrations interact with the body’s own rhythms, slowing the breath, calming the nervous system, and creating space for rest and repair.

While the review found promising results, the authors note that more high-quality studies are needed. Because everyone experiences sound differently, and blinding participants to sound isn’t possible, the research is naturally a little complex. Still, it’s exciting to see this ancient healing art being explored in modern clinical settings.

What this means for you

For most of us, the takeaway is simple: sound works best as a supportive practice — a way to calm the body, soften the mind, and reconnect with inner balance. Whether you’re listening, resting beneath a bowl’s hum, or lying in a Sound Spa session, your body is responding to vibration in a deeply intelligent way.

At The Chiltern Sound Spa, we see the same themes reflected every day — calmer breathing, softer faces, easier sleep, and a sense of emotional reset. Science may just be catching up, but the body already knows: sound heals through stillness, resonance, and presence.

Source: “Therapeutic effects of singing bowls: A systematic review of clinical studies,” Cai et al., 2025, Integrative Medicine Research. Read the full article here.