Researchers find music can decrease pain, especially in those with anxiety
Monday January 23, 2012
Print This- Select Text Size:
advertisement
Newly released research concluded music can be effective for reducing pain, especially in patients with high anxiety and who easily become absorbed in cognitive activities. For the 153-participant study, which appeared in the December issue of The Journal of Pain, subjects listened to music tracks, following the melodies and identifying deviant tones. During the music tasks, they were given safe, experimental pain shocks with fingertip electrodes.
The researchers, who were from the University of Utah Pain Research Center, found as the music-task demand increased, central arousal from the pain stimuli decreased. Music helped reduce pain by activating sensory pathways that compete with pain pathways, stimulating emotional responses and engaging cognitive attention, they theorized.
Subjects with the highest levels of anxiety about the pain had the greatest net engagement, which suggested clinicians should consider personality characteristics when recommending engagement strategies for pain relief.
Access to the full article is available at jpain.org. •
The researchers, who were from the University of Utah Pain Research Center, found as the music-task demand increased, central arousal from the pain stimuli decreased. Music helped reduce pain by activating sensory pathways that compete with pain pathways, stimulating emotional responses and engaging cognitive attention, they theorized.
Subjects with the highest levels of anxiety about the pain had the greatest net engagement, which suggested clinicians should consider personality characteristics when recommending engagement strategies for pain relief.
Access to the full article is available at jpain.org. •
Share your thoughts: editor@TodayinPT.com
Monday January 23, 2012