Assessing the Effects of Korean Traditional Music through Cold-pressor Task

Abstract

Objectives To assess the effects of Korean traditional music on perceived pain through cold-pressor task (CPT). Methods This was a two-sequence, two-period, two-treatment crossover study and involved giving two treatments to each subject. Twenty-six subjects were divided into two groups by randomization, and CPT was performed. In sequence group 1, subjects listened to Korean traditional music (KTM) during their first period but not in the second period. This sequence was reversed in group 2. After each CPT, subjects’ pain intensity (PI) in visual analog scale (VAS) and pain tolerance (PT) in time scale were measured. Anxiety sensitivity inventory (ASI-16) from subject was also measured to show the relationship between the pain responses and the degrees of anxiety. Results There were statistically significant differences in PI with listening KTM (6.26±2.25) compared to without listening KTM (6.69±1.83; p<0.0001) and in PT with KTM (15.42±11.06) compared to without KTM (11.24±8.54; p=0.040). PI between normal and anxious group classified by anxiety scores was statistically significant. Conclusions KTM has a meaningful effect on reducing PI and increasing PT during CPT. KTM effect in PI differs from normal and anxious group. These results may be useful in the context of other surgical procedures to reduce perceived pain. Key words: 2×2 crossover design, Cold-pressor task, Korean music therapy, Pain intensity, Pain tolerance