Previous studies have suggested that patients who listen to music after surgery may experience less pain and require less pain medicine. However, the effect of music on chronic pain has been unclear. Chronic pain often persists in spite of conventional treatment. Now research reports that listening to music can reduce the perception of chronic pain.
The study, published in the Journal of Advanced Nursing, examined the effects of researcher-provided music (standard music) and subject-preferred music on pain, depression, disability and power. Researchers at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Ohio, administered either researcher-provided music (standard music), subject-preferred music (patterning music), or no music (control group) to 60 patients suffering from chronic pain due to conditions such as arthritis and back problems. The participants listened to music for one hour daily, for a week. The McGill Pain Questionnaire, the Center for Epidemiology Studies Depression scale, the Pain Disability Index, and the Power as Knowing Participation in Change Tool measurements were obtained from the participants.
The researchers found that both music groups had a 21 percent decrease in pain and a 25 percent decrease in depression, compared to the control group. Findings showed that the music helped the participants feel more empowered and less disabled by their condition. The choice of music didn't reveal a benefit in terms of pain relief.
"Nurses can teach patients how to use music to enhance the effects of analgesics, decrease pain, depression and disability, and promote feelings of power," the study authors conclude.
REFERENCES:
1. Siedliecki SL and Good M. Effect of music on power, pain, depression and disability. J Adv Nurs 2006 Jun;54(5):553-62.
Posted by Elaine Gavalas on October 13, 2006 02:38 PM
