Pirouetting Away the Pain With Music
Even though current research provides promising evidence toward the beneficial effect of music therapy for osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia, at present, there is a lack of studies that explore the effect of music on other rheumatologic conditions including rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. Therefore, there is little research that supports the use of this complementary therapy for these conditions. However, a trial of music therapy can be considered especially in patients with resistant symptoms, as it is likely to help alleviate similar symptoms in different rheumatologic conditions, whereas in parallel research studies can be conducted to research further the effect of music on these.
But let us make no mistake—music therapy does not claim to alleviate pain completely or prevent the need for pharmacotherapy or surgery; its aim is to be used alongside conventional rheumatologic interventions to help manage symptoms and improve quality of life. As opposed to modern-day medicine, music therapy has no known adverse effects, and therefore, any benefit derived from its use is advantageous. Even though research into this area of medicine is still in its early stages, it is apparent that music can have a vast array of beneficial effects on patients with rheumatologic conditions. Perhaps in the future, this can help patients with rheumatologic conditions pirouette away to the sound of music. Until then, encouraging our patients to enjoy music both inside and outside the hospital seems to be a stable, solid, enjoyable, cheap, and safe first step.
Conclusions
Even though current research provides promising evidence toward the beneficial effect of music therapy for osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia, at present, there is a lack of studies that explore the effect of music on other rheumatologic conditions including rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. Therefore, there is little research that supports the use of this complementary therapy for these conditions. However, a trial of music therapy can be considered especially in patients with resistant symptoms, as it is likely to help alleviate similar symptoms in different rheumatologic conditions, whereas in parallel research studies can be conducted to research further the effect of music on these.
But let us make no mistake—music therapy does not claim to alleviate pain completely or prevent the need for pharmacotherapy or surgery; its aim is to be used alongside conventional rheumatologic interventions to help manage symptoms and improve quality of life. As opposed to modern-day medicine, music therapy has no known adverse effects, and therefore, any benefit derived from its use is advantageous. Even though research into this area of medicine is still in its early stages, it is apparent that music can have a vast array of beneficial effects on patients with rheumatologic conditions. Perhaps in the future, this can help patients with rheumatologic conditions pirouette away to the sound of music. Until then, encouraging our patients to enjoy music both inside and outside the hospital seems to be a stable, solid, enjoyable, cheap, and safe first step.
SHARE
