Music therapy helps patients to heal quicker after surgery

MUSIC can help boost the recovery of hospital patients who have had surgery, a new report has revealed.

The study found music therapy can be beneficial to people before, during and after an operation.

It found patients were less anxious before going under the procedure and recovered more quickly and satisfactorily after by being exposed to music.

The research also revealed patients who were exposed to music required less sedative medication and reported better satisfaction with their medical experience.

Lead author of the study Lori Gooding, who is also University of Kentucky’s director of music therapy, said: ‘Music therapists have long known that music can be an effective tool to manage pain and anxiety.

‘Here at UK, our music therapists regularly use music-based interventions to help patients manage both pain and anxiety.’

Ms Gooding’s research concluded that music selected by trained personnel is preferred because specific guidelines for music selection should be followed in order to maximize its positive effect on patients. However a patient’s musical tastes should still be considered.

It is suggested several “playlists” be offered and the patient can choose one that best suits their tastes.

Characteristics of the music are also important in effective music therapy.

Among other features, the tempo, rhythm and volume of the music can be carefully controlled in order to maximize the positive effect that music can have.

Calm, slow, gentle music was shown to produce the most positive results and facilitate relaxation and pain reduction in patients.