Music can be an effective treatment for Chronic Pain
As leading music therapists have known for years, music was found to relieve chronic pain in adults taking part recently in a one-week study. Sixty adults in their late 40s or early 50s who lived in Ohio were recruited from pain clinics and a chiropractic office.
The majority of study participants reported feeling chronic pain in multiple areas, including lower back, legs, knee joints and feet. Half had never gotten a pain-related diagnosis, but osteoarthritis was the most common reason for symptoms of those who knew the source of their pain. All had pain for at least six months, and some suffered from pain for years.
Researchers split the adults into three groups, with one group selecting their own music or relaxing sounds of nature. The second group listened to instrumental music supplied by the researchers. In the third group (control group), patients did not listen to music. Both music groups were given tape players and headsets to use while relaxing for one hour during each day.
Results were startling when patients rated their pain, depression, disability and feelings of empowerment. Comparing each category before and after the study, average scores improved for both music groups, but not for the comparison group.
• Average pain ratings fell 20%
• Average scores on depression fell up to 25%
• Self-rated disability ratings dropped up to 18%
• Feelings of ability to change their lives rose by up to 8%
Researchers discovered that a variety of different musical selections and styles were effective for both groups listening to music. The conclusion reached was that music can help patients deal with chronic, nonmalignant pain. The rest that patients got while listening to music could have added to the beneficial result.
Source: WebMD
Add comment June 6th, 2006
