Researchers in the U.S. have confirmed that listening to music can have a significant positive impact on the perception of chronic pain.
Previous studies have found music to be effective in decreasing pain and anxiety related to postoperative, procedural and cancer pain and while it is known that music encourages relaxation the researchers were eager to test the effect of music on power, pain, depression, and disability in working age adults who had endured years of chronic pain.
The 60 African American and Caucasian patients aged 21–65 years who took part in the study were recruited from pain and chiropractic clinics and had been suffering from conditions such osteoarthritis, disc problems and rheumatoid arthritis for an average of six-and-a-half years.
The majority said the pain affected more than one part of their body, and was continuous.
Some listened to music on a headset for an hour every day for a week, while the rest did not.
Among those who listened to music, half were able to chose their favourite selections, the rest had to pick from a list of five relaxing tapes provided by the researchers.
According to the study 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 study also found music helped people feel less disabled by their condition.
Researcher Dr. Sandra Siedlecki, of the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, says the results show that listening to music had a statistically significant effect on the two experimental groups, reducing pain, depression and disability and increasing feelings of power.
Siedlecki says non-malignant pain remains a major health problem and sufferers continue to report high levels of unrelieved pain despite using medication and anything that can provide relief is welcomed.