Music therapy and music-based interventions in the treatment of pain: state of the art

HIGHLIGHTS

• Music activates various brain structures and interferes with neuronal processing, causing changes in the perception of pain and in cognitive, affective and evaluative processes.

• The implementation of non-pharmacological therapies, including music therapy, although not the essential management of pain, can be considered an adjunct to patient care.

• Individual musical preference should be considered in the music therapy plan, as music has a greater analgesic effect if it is chosen by the patient themselves.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Music therapy promotes positive effects on cognition, psychosocial aspects, control of somatic symptoms and quality of life. The influence on pain is still a controversial topic. The objective of this study was to investigate the state of the art of musical interventions and music therapy in the treatment of acute or chronic pain, as well as developing criteria to facilitate the creation of strategies for applying music in clinical research.

CONTENTS:

This research was based on papers published between August 2010 and March 2023 in the Pubmed database. Of these, open access literature review articles were selected. A total of 44 studies whose results and conclusions showed that there is evidence of pain relief in many clinical and environmental conditions were selected, although there is great heterogeneity in methods and controversy in the literature regarding positive and adverse or side effects. The music chosen by a professional or patient alleviates significantly the painful experience by many mechanisms, although statistical data is limited or controversial.

CONCLUSION:

Music appears to have a positive impact on various environmental situations or biological conditions that result in painful experience and, therefore, can significantly alleviate pain, which is supported by evidence of complex neural mechanisms involving the descending pain inhibitory system. The benefits justify the use of music as a low-cost and low-risk therapeutic strategy, and the methodological challenges justify a more careful design in future research, including details of the type of musical intervention performed.

Keywords:
Anxiety; Pain; Orofacial pain; Music; Music therapy; Quality of life.