Music Eases Perception Of Chronic Pain
Main Category: Pain / Anesthetics News
Article Date: 29 May 2006 - 9:00am (PDT)

A study published in the Journal of Advanced Nursing found that music
can significantly ease a patient's perception of chronic pain.
Researchers from the Cleveland Clinic Foundation examined the effect
of music on 60 patients who had been experiencing chronic pain for an
average of six-and-a-half years. Most of the patients suffered from
osteoarthritis, disc problems and rheumatoid arthritis. The majority
experienced continuous pain in two or more parts of the body. They
were recruited from pain and chiropractic clinics.

The patients were divided into two groups. One listened to music for
one hour per day on headsets. The other did not listen to music at
all. Among those who listened to music, half could choose the music
themselves, while the other half could choose from five relaxation
recordings the researchers provided them with.

The researchers found that music brought about a 21% reduction in
pain levels as well as a 25% drop in depression linked to pain. The
researchers said patients felt the pain less disabling with music
therapy. There was no significant difference between those who could
chose their own music and those who could select from five recordings
given to them.

Dr. Sandra Siedlecki, team leader, said the study showed that music
has a significant beneficial effect of pain reduction, less
depression, less disability and increased feelings of power. She
added that many sufferers of non-malignant pain continue to
experience high levels of pain despite using medication. Anything
that can provide relief is welcomed.

The team concluded that music does have an important role to play in
modern healthcare.

Some people have written to us asking whether this pain relief may
only have a short-term effect. Perhaps a long-term study would be
useful.

Click here to read the abstract which appears in Advanced Journal of
Nursing
<http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1365-
2648.2006.03860.x>

Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Editor: Medical News Today

<http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/healthnews.php?newsid=44193>