Soothing sounds: Music reduces pain after spinal surgery

Popping on a pair of headphones and enjoying a little Mozart may soon be a valid prescription. A study, published by The American Journal of Orthopedics, found that patients treated with musical therapy have lower levels of pain compared to those receiving conventional postoperative care after spinal surgery.

Researchers from New York's Mount Sinai Beth Israel's Louis Armstrong Center for Music and Medicine (LACMM) have incorporated music into patient recovery as a crucial part of recovery without medication.

"This study is unique in its quest to integrate music therapy in medicine to treat post-surgical pain" said John Mondanaro, the study's lead author and clinical director at LACMM. "Postoperative spine patients are at major risk for pain management challenges."

The study included 60 patients who had underwent spinal fusion surgery, splitting them evenly into two groups. One group received conventional postoperative care while the remaining 30 patients were provided a 30-minute musical therapy section occurring 72 hours after surgery in addition to conventional care. The music therapy patients were given the choice between live music for relaxation and joint singing and/or drumming.

Results were measured according to the visual analog scale (VAS) pain ratings before and after surgery in both groups. VAS levels in patient receiving conventional care increased from 5.20 to 5.87. VAS scores of musical therapy patients fell from 6.20 to 5.09.

"The degree of change in the music group is notable for having been achieved by non-pharmacologic means with little chance of adverse effects," said Joanne Loewy, DA, co-author of the study and director of LACMM. "Pain is subjective and personal, and warrants an individualized approach to care. Certified, licensed music therapists are able to tailor treatment to each patient's musical preferences and meet their pain level."

""
Cara Livernois, News Writer

Cara joined TriMed Media in 2016 and is currently a Senior Writer for Clinical Innovation & Technology. Originating from Detroit, Michigan, she holds a Bachelors in Health Communications from Grand Valley State University.

Around the web

Cardiovascular devices are more likely to be in a Class I recall than any other device type. The FDA's approval process appears to be at least partially responsible, though the agency is working to make some serious changes. We spoke to a researcher who has been tracking these data for years to learn more. 

Updated compensation data includes good news for multiple subspecialties. The new report also examines private equity's impact on employment models and how much male cardiologists earn compared to females.

When drugs are on the FDA’s shortage list, outsourcing facilities can produce their own compounded versions. When the FDA removed tirzepatide from that list with no warning, it created a considerable amount of chaos both behind the scenes and in pharmacies all over the country. 

Trimed Popup
Trimed Popup