Music Therapy – Studies Show Music May Relax Patients with Breathing Complications

Music has been a fundamental form of relaxation and entertainment for thousands of years, but new studies indicate that it may also be a means for relaxing patients who suffer from breathing complications. A study undertaken by scientists at Drexel University measured the effects of music therapy on patients who suffer from breathing complications. These patients breathe with mechanical ventilation treatments, many of whom are under a high degree of stress. The scientists theorized that using music as a means of relaxation could help relieve this stress.

According to the National Institutes of Health, those patients or individuals in general who must use health services such as mechanical ventilation may also suffer from various complications during their program of treatment. This could include psychological strain, anxiety, or cardiovascular issues as a result of stress. They determined that there was a direct link in between breathing ventilation and stress or anxiety, which is why they decided to test what the effects of music therapy might be on this type of patient.

As part of this study into music therapy and breathing complications, 213 patients decided to participate. They all suffered from various breathing complications, which could be the result of anything ranging from trauma injuries to heart disease. All of them were hooked up to mechanical ventilation devices, and were unable to breathe on their own. These subjects then listened to music that was either live or prerecorded as part of the music therapy program, and their stress levels were measured. Heart rates and breathing rates were also measured as indicators of this stress or anxiety.

All of the markers of stress and anxiety went down when the patients were able to listen to music. They showed lowered heart and breathing rates, as well as lower levels of anxiety in general. According to Joke Bradt, who is the head of the creative arts department and the study’s lead researcher at Drexel, this indicates that music therapy may not only be a cost-effective method of treating patients, but also is effective. Because the only thing that these patients had in common was the fact that they had difficulty breathing, it also may show that a wide range of different patients could use this type of music therapy to relieve stress. Blood pressure is also affected by stress.

More studies are needed to see just how music therapy affects patients with breathing complications, but the preliminary results from this study are promising. There may be other variables involved that require further study, however, including the type of music played, whether it makes a difference if the music is prerecorded or live, and how the patient is allowed to interact with the music. In terms of breathing capability, having a rhythm to listen to may help keep breathing regular in patients, which is also an important form of stress relief used in meditation, yoga, and other forms of natural therapy to reduce stress.