Music therapy for pain management: the state of the art

Abstract

Pain is a common clinical issue in medical populations, and music therapy is widely used as a treatment. The purpose of this presentation is to provide a comprehensive overview of this topic to include the theories underlying the use of music therapy for pain, a categorization of levels of music therapy practice, and clinical considerations based upon type of pain, therapist skill, patient need, and patient preference for coping. A description of the music therapy methods typically used according to levels of practice will be presented. In addition, the most recent meta-analytic evidence for the effects of music therapy will be discussed and compared to other types of music interventions (i.e. music medicine). A brief description of entrainment will be included as well as evidence for its effectiveness. Specific recommendations will be made regarding the future of clinical practice, research needs, and also the training of music therapists for competence in pain management.