Music in the Control of Human Pain

Abstract

Examines current information on human pain and its control by music to suggest theoretical background and possible applications of music in pain therapy. Topics discussed include (1) a theory of pain perception and modulation; (2) physiological, operant conditioning, and cognitive-behavioral approaches to pain management; and (3) the use of music as a cognitive strategy affecting pain perception by acting on the sensory-discriminative, motivational-affective, and cognitive-evaluative dimensions of pain experience. Actively listening to music in a structured fashion may yield a cognitive strategy (via cognitive mechanisms involving attention-distraction, emotion, imagery catharsis, and/or relaxation) for altering the perception of pain. However, there is a need for more clearly designed, well controlled research on the use of music as a cognitive-behavioral strategy for pain management. (PsycLIT Database Copyright 1990 American Psychological Assn, all rights reserved)