Music Therapy and Pain: New Evidence, Local Reflections
Music Therapy and Pain
Last month, The Journal of Pain published an important study on how music therapy can help reduce pain in hospitalized adults. The research looked at over 2,000 music therapy sessions across a large health system and found that music therapy interventions like active music-making (singing, instrument play) and music-assisted relaxation/imagery were especially effective in helping patients lower their pain. Longer sessions and sessions with a clear focus on pain management also made a difference.
The takeaway: when patients were actively engaged in music, not just listening passively, they were more likely to experience meaningful pain relief.
What This Means for Our Hospital
Although this study focused on adults, I see clear parallels with the children and teens I work with here at our hospital. Many of my patients face pain connected to their cancer treatment. While children can sometimes be reluctant to participate in activities during a difficult day, I often see them jump right into making music, even when they have turned down other opportunities.
What strikes me is how intuitive children are in choosing what will help them feel better. When a drum, shaker, or glockenspiel is placed in their hands, it is not unusual to see their posture shift, their eyes brighten, or their focus move away from the discomfort they are feeling. The study highlighted several mechanisms that help explain these changes, including sensorimotor synchronization, refocused attention, self-efficacy, and enjoyment.
Connection Beyond Words
I would add one more observation from my own practice: the power of collaborative music-making as a pathway for connection. For children with mouth sores and mouth pain (a side effect of certain chemotherapies), talking and singing can be difficult. Yet they can still engage by playing percussion instruments, strumming my guitar, or helping shape the direction of a song. Music offers a way to communicate and connect without relying on words, which can be a lifeline when verbal communication is painful or exhausting.
Looking Ahead
This study adds to the growing evidence that music therapy offers more than comfort or distraction. It provides children with real ways to ease pain and feel supported. For us, it highlights the importance of creating opportunities for kids to actively and creatively engage in music. For families, it is a reminder that making music together can nurture relief, resilience, and connection during some of the most difficult days of treatment.
