Music Reduces Pain and Increases Functional Mobility in Fibromyalgia

Journal

Frontiers in Psychology

Year

2014

Abstract

The pain in Fibromyalgia (FM) is difficult to treat and functional mobility seems to be an important comorbidity in these patients that could evolve into a disability. In this study we wanted to investigate the analgesic effects of music in FM pain. Twenty-two FM patients were passively exposed to (1) self-chosen, relaxing, pleasant music, and to (2) a control auditory condition (pink noise). They rated pain and performed the 'timed-up & go task (TUG)' to measure functional mobility after each auditory condition. Listening to relaxing, pleasant, self-chosen music reduced pain and increased functional mobility significantly in our FM patients. The music-induced analgesia was significantly correlated with the TUG scores; thereby suggesting that the reduction in pain unpleasantness increased functional mobility. Notably, this mobility improvement was obtained with music played prior to the motor task (not during), therefore the effect cannot be explained merely by motor entrainment to a fast rhythm. Cognitive and emotional mechanisms seem to be central to music-induced analgesia. Our findings encourage the use of music as a treatment adjuvant to reduce chronic pain in FM and increase functional mobility thereby reducing the risk of disability. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)

Music and Health Institute Terms

Adverse Effects; Audio Analgesia; Chronic Pain; Fibromyalgia; Functional Assessments; Functional Status; Mobility; Music Listening; Music Medicine; Pain; Pain Management and Control; Pain Score or Rating; Recorded Music Listening; Self-Report Measures

Indexed Terms

fibromyalgia; pain; analgesia; functional mobility; comorbidity; Pain Management; Physical Mobility

Study Type

Case Study; Qualitative Methods

PubMed ID

24575066

Document Type

Article

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