Posts Tagged ‘Music therapy may reduce the pain response’
Music therapy may reduce the pain response
According to a new study, listening to music may help reduce an individual’s response to chronic pain.
Music has been used as a tool for healing since ancient times. Music therapy can involve both listening and touching, and has been used to improve the quality of life as well as the physical, emotional and cognitive development of people of all ages.
Researchers looked at 153 healthy volunteers who performed tasks that involved listening to tones or background music. Participants received three levels of stimulus intensity during the task. Scientists collected data on dilation of the pupil, the potential evoked by the stimuli and responses driving the skin to determine its net commitment to music.
Dilation of the pupil and the steering response of the skin varied with the demands of work, as well as anxiety levels and absorption (attention) of the participants. The scientists noted a greater effect of participation in those with higher levels of anxiety and absorption.
The team concluded that music therapy can help reduce an individual’s response to pain, but that personality factors such as anxiety can modulate this effect. The results suggest that people who are more anxious and is easily absorbed in the activities may experience reduced pain harder to listen to music.
For more information on music therapy, please visit our Dictionary of Remedies and Natural Treatments developed in collaboration with Natural Standard, or use the search box at the top right.
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