Resources & references

This is a summary of a study, which reveals promising findings for the application of improvisational music therapy in assuaging the multidimensional acute pain of adult patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). 

Read an article that discusses a pain assessment model for music therapists. The importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in this domain is also discussed.

Read a study on the use of music therapy in burn patients, including both adults and pediatric cases, which found that participants in the music therapy program reported a significant reduction in pain compared to those not participating in the music therapy program.

This study investigated feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a single-session electronic music improvisation with a music therapist to diminish pain intensity and improve pain relief and mood in adults with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). Qualitatively, there were two prominent themes directly related to music: 1) music listening and music therapy offered many positive and few negative effects; and 2) music therapists provided comfort beyond the music. 

Read a meta-analysis investigating the effects of music on pain. Results indicate that music therapy may be an effective complementary approach for the relief of acute, procedural, and chronic pain in the medical setting.

Read about a study exploring the efficacy of music therapy during dressing changes in burn patients. Results indicate a significant decrease in acute procedural pain, anxiety and muscle tension levels associated with daily burn care.

Read an article that discusses the underlying neural mechanisms of pain across the lifespan, and how various aspects of music-based intervention may assist in pain management.

This article presents a study exploring the use of music therapy interventions for pain management in adults. Findings show that recreative and music-assisted relaxation and imagery interventions were significantly more likely to reduce pain intensity than receptive only interventions and also suggest that male patients, medicaid beneficiaries, and patients with sickle cell disease were less likely to report pain reduction.

Click here to read the referenced study.

Watch how music therapist Betsy Hartman supports children with cancer in a pediatric hospital setting.