Music is a powerful force that can stimulate strong emotions within us. Harnessing that power can benefit the seriously ill by improving their quality of life. In a 3-year study Sandi Curtis, a music therapy professor at Concordia University in Montreal, Canada, divided university music therapy students and musicians in to pairs working with 371 participating terminally ill patients from 18 to 101 years old. Participants were seen for a single music therapy sessions from 15 to 60 minutes long with the goal of enhancing pain relief, relaxation, mood and quality of life.
“Our study showed how music therapy was effective in enhancing pain relief, comfort, relaxation, mood, confidence, resilience, life quality and well-being in patients,” said Curtis. The study was published in the journal Music and Medicine.
“Our study showed how music therapy was effective in enhancing pain relief, comfort, relaxation, mood, confidence, resilience, life quality and well-being in patients,” said Curtis. The study was published in the journal Music and Medicine.
This article was originally published in Pathways Physician & Health Professional Bulletin - Issue 24. To download this issue in PDF format, or past issues, visit our newsletter archives online at www.pathwayshealth.org/publications.
