The relationship between music and muscoloskeletal chronic pain

ABSTRACT

Musculoskeletal chronic pain causes suffering and influences an individual's quality of life, functioning, and independence. The purpose of this descriptive, comparative, and correlational study was to examine the effect of music on the intensity of musculoskeletal chronic pain among women with musculoskeletal chronic pain, and identify symbolic themes similarities and aesthetic reactions caused by mental images after listening to three music pieces (Bolero, Lohengrin, and Mix). Data were collected from 90 women suffering from specific chronic musculoskeletal pain (fibromyalgia, repetitive strains injuries, and spinal column diseases) using the Numerical Rating Scale. Differences in perceptions of pain were measured before and after classical music listening (Bolero - M. Ravel, Lohengrin - R. Wagner, and Mix - classical various). Drawing and verbal reports were also recorded to characterize mental images. Results of t-tests indicated that women in the three groups had less pain after listening to the music pieces (p< 0.001). Symbolic and aesthetically significant differences among the three musical pieces were also observed. The mix has shown lower results in mental image quantity in relation to Ravel and Wagner's music, both symbolically and aesthetically, with predominance of descriptive images. These findings indicate that music is an effective nursing intervention that can be used to relieve musculoskeletal chronic pain.