Music as nursing intervention for pain in five Asian countries

Area of Science:

• Integrative Medicine
• Pain Management
• Music Therapy

Background:

• Music has a long history of use for pain relief in Asian cultures.
• Despite historical use, research on music's therapeutic effects in Asia is limited.
• Most existing studies on music interventions for pain are from Western settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the application of music as an intervention for painful conditions in five Asian countries.
• To document the experiences and findings related to music therapy for pain in China, Thailand, Philippines, South Korea, and Taiwan.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive survey was conducted on studies utilizing music for pain intervention.
• The survey focused on research conducted in China, Thailand, Philippines, South Korea, and Taiwan.
• Included published and unpublished studies, theses, and dissertations meeting specific criteria.

Main Results:

• Nine studies met the inclusion criteria, analyzing various factors like study design, participant demographics, and music intervention details.
• Five studies reported a significant reduction in pain with music intervention.
• Three studies presented mixed results, indicating variability in music's effectiveness.

Conclusions:

• The findings suggest that music can be an effective tool for pain relief.
• Mixed results highlight the need for more rigorous investigation into music's effects on pain.
• Encourages further research and global dissemination of findings on music interventions for pain.