Musical interventions and music therapy in pain treatment: literature review

Abstract

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Music therapy is an approach that promotes positive effects on cognitive, emotional, psychological and social aspects, favoring quality of life. It also helps to control psychological and physical symptoms, such as anxiety, depression, and pain, as well as promoting relaxation, pleasure, and the strengthening of interpersonal relationships. The influence of music on pain is still a topic with little clarifying results in the literature. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of musical interventions and music therapy in the treatment of acute or chronic pain. CONTENTS: Literature review of the last 10 years was carried out in the LILACS and Scielo databases between August and September 2020, which included articles of literature review or systematic review. CONCLUSION: Music can reduce pain, however, the results show that there is controversy in the studies analyzed on the analgesic role of music on pain. There is controversy about the effects of music therapy or musical interventions on pain, as well as its adverse or side effects. This may be related to the methods and their results with low scientific evidence.