I Need to Hear Some Sounds That Recognize the Pain in Me: An Integrative Review of a Decade of Research in the Development of Active Music Therapy Outpatient Treatment in Patients With Recurrent or Chronic Pain

Authors

  • Julian Koenig MA
  • Marco Warth MA
  • Rieke Oelkers-Ax PD Dr.
  • Alexander Wormit Prof Dr.
  • Hubert J. Bardenheuer Prof Dr.
  • Franz Resch Prof Dr.
  • Julian F. Thayer PhD
  • Thomas K. Hillecke Prof Dr.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47513/mmd.v5i3.326

Abstract

Music is widely used to reduce pain in a broad variety of clients and settings. Most studies focus on the pain-reducing effect of music- listening interventions on patients with acute pain, whereas studies investigating the effect of active therapy (ie, music making) on pain perception in patients with recurrent or chronic pain are rare. This article reviews the findings of a series of previously published studies by our work group, conducted during the past 10 years, using defined music therapy plans in the treatment of outpatients with conditions of recurrent or chronic pain. This review provides evidence that a specific music therapy concept tailored to the demands of the patient might be able to substantially reduce pain frequency and pain intensity in patients with recurrent or chronic pain. However, further studies need to investigate the nature of those beneficial effects and their specificity.

Author Biographies

Julian Koenig, MA

Julian Koenig, MA, is a PhD student at the Medical Faculty, Ruprecht-Karls-University Heidelberg and researcher at the SRH University Heidelberg, Germany.

Marco Warth, MA

Marco Warth, MA, is a researcher at the SRH University Heidelberg, Germany.

Rieke Oelkers-Ax, PD Dr.

Rieke Oelkers-Ax, PD Dr, is a senior physician at the Clinic for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Medical Faculty, Ruprecht-Karls- University Heidelberg, Germany.

Alexander Wormit, Prof Dr.

Alexander Wormit, Prof Dr, is the dean of the Department of Music Therapy, School of Therapeutic Sciences, SRH University Heidelberg, Germany.

Hubert J. Bardenheuer, Prof Dr.

Hubert J. Bardenheuer, Prof Dr, is the head of the Department of Pain Therapy and Palliative Care Medicine, Clinic of Anesthesiology, Medical Faculty, Ruprecht-Karls-University Heidelberg, Germany.

Franz Resch, Prof Dr.

Franz Resch, Prof Dr, is the head of the Clinic for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Medical Faculty, Ruprecht-Karls-University Heidelberg, Germany.

Julian F. Thayer, PhD

Julian F. Thayer, PhD, is the Ohio Eminent Scholar in Health Psychology at The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.

Thomas K. Hillecke, Prof Dr.

Thomas K. Hillecke, Prof Dr, is the dean of the School of Therapeutic Sciences, SRH University Heidelberg, Germany.

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Issue

Vol. 5 No. 3 (2013)

Section

Full Length Articles