Listening to music can help reduce the level of pain that patients suffer after an injury.
In a study published last week, experts concluded that the distraction of music acts as an effective form of pain relief. But the researchers also found that certain songs had a greater impact than others.
Around one in four people in the UK live with some form of pain. The most common treatments offered on the NHS are painkillers, physiotherapy and talking therapy.
But the new study, carried out by researchers at McGill University, in Canada, believe that music could also play an important role.
The study involved 60 participants who were subjected to a low-level electric shock – which the researchers say was akin to briefly touching the outside of a hot coffee mug.
One-third were then told to sit in silence and another third listened to music of their choice.
However, the remaining participants received custom music. Studies show that that each person has their own distinct natural rhythm. This means they hear music at a different speed to other people.
Researchers worked out each participant’s natural rhythm by asking them to tap out the nursery rhyme ‘Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star’ at a rate that was comfortable for them, without cues.
Listening to music can help reduce the level of pain that patients suffer after an injury. Pictured: File photo
In a study published last week, experts concluded that the distraction of music acts as an effective form of pain relief. Pictured: File photo
Depending on the pace at which they did this, the researchers would then speed up or slow down the music they listened to after the electric shock.
The results found that listening to any form of music decreased the level of pain patients experienced.
But those who received the custom music had the greatest amount of pain reduction.
The researchers now hope to test the technique out on people living with long-term pain, known as chronic pain.
‘In the past, it has often been suggested that soothing or relaxing music works best as a pain reliever,’ said Professor Caroline Palmer, brain scientist at McGill University and co-author of the paper.
‘But this didn’t seem precise enough.’
