Music Therapy and Its Role in Pain Control

Abstract

Music has occupied our day-to-day life; as it is readily available, accessible and further technological advancement has made access to music a common norm. Music has been present since the very early part of human evolution and has helped in forming society and civilizations. It has served various purposes like social cohesion, emotional expressions, interpersonal communication as well as recreation. Due to its great bonding power; it is important in terms of social dynamics. Music therapy is convenient, inexpensive and user-controlled and seems to be influencing the physiological system positively if rightly used. Vast research is going on to find the right music that could be having a beneficial therapeutic effect. Music seems to affect the pain perception, modulation and also has the affective component to help positively in controlling the pain. This chapter is an attempt to evaluate the various pain modulating effects of music through a systematic music therapy intervention using the vast research work done in this field. This review is consistent to integrate the best scientific evidence for pain relief into practice, education, and research. Music being a non-pharmacologic, nontoxic intervention and is free from adverse effects and also is an inexpensive, low cost modality.