Background & Aims
Background:
This research explores the music selections of patients in a pain theater, aiming to challenge the conventional view that only calming music is beneficial for pain relief. It specifically investigates how patient preferences vary across different demographics, focusing on the correlation between patients’ age, gender, and their chosen music genres. This approach seeks to provide a deeper understanding of the diverse and individualized nature of music therapy in pain management.
Aims:
The study aims to comprehensively document and analyze the types of music chosen by patients, segmented by age and gender. It seeks to assess the effectiveness of these music choices in pain management, comparing these real-world preferences with existing literature that typically recommends specific genres, like calming or classical music, for chronic pain patients. The goal is to enhance the understanding and application of patient-centered music therapy in clinical settings.
Methods
Methods:
This descriptive study was conducted over a two-year period in an operating theater setting. Upon entry to the theater, patients were asked to select a piece of music that evoked a sense of safety and comfort, akin to being at home. The chosen music was played during their medical procedure, with the volume adjusted for patient and operator comfort. All music selections were cataloged and added to a publicly accessible Spotify playlist titled “Pain Patient’s Playlist #PPP.” This unique playlist served not only as a data collection tool but also as a means for patients and theater staff to recall and engage with the study. The types of music chosen were systematically recorded and analyzed, focusing on the variety of genres and the correlation of these choices with patient demographics, including age and gender. This method provided a comprehensive overview of patient music preferences in a clinical pain management setting.
Results
Results:
Contrary to expectations, alongside calming and classical music, a notable number of patients chose diverse genres like country and rock for their procedures in the pain theater. These choices were often linked to happy, active social memories, differing from the literature’s emphasis on soothing music. The freedom to select personally meaningful music significantly enhanced patients’ experiences, underscoring the value of emotional connection and autonomy in music choice for pain management. This finding challenges conventional views and suggests a broader spectrum of effective music genres in therapeutic settings.
Conclusions
Conclusions:
This study demonstrates the importance of patient-selected music in pain management. Allowing patients to choose music that has personal and emotional significance, and control sound features, enhances their experience. The diversity in music preferences, including emotionally resonant sounds, aligns with patient needs in pain settings. While this study didn’t compare patient outcomes with different sound conditions, the results suggest potential benefits of patient-chosen music. Further research is necessary to explore these advantages and determine if this approach should be a recommended practice in clinical pain management settings.
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Presenting Author
Teresa Leiva
Poster Authors
Maria Leiva
MD
St Mary's Hospital IOW
Lead Author
Topics
- Evidence, Clinical Trials, Systematic Review, Guidelines, and Implementation Science