The weekly newsletter for Fed2 by ibgames

EARTHDATE: July 9, 2006

Official News - page 8

REAL LIFE NEWS: MUSIC IS A PAIN KILLER

"Music hath charms to soothe the savage breast,
To soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak"
from The Mourning Bride by William Congreve

It's often misquoted as "savage beast" and most people probably think it comes from something by Shakespeare. Many powers have been ascribed to music, and now scientists have come up with one more. Research has confirmed that listening to music can relieve pain.

US researchers tested the effect of music on 60 patients who had endured years of chronic pain. Those who listened to music reported a cut in pain levels of up to 21%, and in associated depression of up to 25%, compared to those who did not listen. The music also helped people to feel less disabled by their condition.

The study for the Journal of Advanced Nursing recruited patients from pain and chiropractic clinics who had been suffering from such conditions as osteoarthritis, disc problems and rheumatoid arthritis for an average of six-and-a-half years. Most said the pain affected more than one part of their body continuously.

Some listened to music on a headset for an hour every day for a week, while the rest did not. Half of the music listeners were able to choose their favorite selections, the rest had to pick from a list of five relaxing tapes that the researchers provided.

There were some small differences between the two music groups, but they both showed consistent improvements over the non-music group.

I have one question about this study: there is no mention of whether the people involved in the experiment normally listened to music or not! Were those in the non-music group forbidden to turn on their radios? Still, it does sound encouraging, and could provide a better way to manage chronic pain than constantly swallowing pills.


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