In fibromyalgia patients, music therapy can reduce pain, depression, anxiety, and improve sleep

In fibromyalgia patients, music therapy can reduce pain, depression, and anxiety, and improve sleep. The findings come from researchers at the University of Granada who found that music therapy combined with relaxation techniques can help improve many areas in the lives of fibromyalgia patients. With improved depression, anxiety, and sleep, and reduced pain, a patient’s quality of life can greatly improve as well.

Study participants were fibromyalgia patients from Spain who underwent a basal test prior to the treatment, a post-basal test four week after the treatment, and another one eight weeks after the treatment.

The researchers applied a relaxation technique based on guided imagery and music therapy led by a researcher. Patients were also given a CD to listen to at home. Researchers measured variables associated with the main symptoms of fibromyalgia and then the patients were given an opportunity to participate in their own treatment.

The researchers suggest that guided imagery and music therapy is a cost-effective, easily implemented, and overall effective treatment for fibromyalgia patients. The researchers noted, “Further empirical research studies are needed to address other physiological variables associated with the well-being generated by these two techniques, and that analyze patients’ self-efficiency and personal power to get involved in their own treatment.”

Manage fibromyalgia pain through music therapy

Music therapy has been found to be an effective mode of treatment for fibromyalgia patients. It is carried out by a music therapist who assesses the patient’s needs in order to create an individualized treatment plan, which can involve singing, listening, composing, and moving to music.

Music therapy has been around for many years and isn’t effective just for fibromyalgia. In fact, music therapy can be utilized for many ailments in order to improve the patients’ quality of life by helping to reduce stress, alleviate pain, and improve overall wellbeing.

A patient does not need to be musically inclined in order to benefit from musical therapy and there isn’t a specific type of music that needs to be used. A music therapist works closely with the patient to understand their own unique needs and picks music based on those needs. Although working with a therapist is most recommended, there is also the so-called prescriptive music that consists of 50 to 60 beats per minute. Such recorded version of music therapy also has been found to help lower blood pressure and reduce pain.

If you have been struggling with the symptoms associated with fibromyalgia and want to try an alternative mode of treatment, speak to your doctor about a referral for music therapy as it could very well offer you benefits.

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Sources:
http://www.painmanagementnursing.org/article/S1524-9042(10)00139-6/abstract
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110526091248.htm
http://www.fibromyalgia-symptoms.org/fibromyalgia-&music-therapy.html