As a YouGov poll has discovered, 71% of Americans say music has helped them through a difficult time. Living with a long term condition can certainly qualify as difficult, especially if it’s painful or restricts your freedom to enjoy life in other ways. So can music help in this instance? Scientists seem to believe so. From pairing with medication to manage pain, to lowering blood pressure and boosting social skills, music can play a valuable role in life with a long term condition.
Listening vs playing
What’s more beneficial, playing an instrument or simply listening to a great album? Much of the research in this area looks at the effect of music in general, but it’s clear that the act of learning to play an instrument can help a patient to become absorbed in the task at hand, entering what psychologists term a ‘state of flow’, This helps a person to escape from day to day health concerns and experience satisfaction and happiness as they progress and improve. String instruments are ideal for this; a simple ukulele is a great place to start since they are relatively inexpensive, straightforward and fun enough to make motivating progress fairly quickly, and easy to transport, whether it’s for a hospital stay or resting at home.
Music as pain relief
Before the University of Utah’s scientists looked at pairing Mozart with pain medication, the University also undertook research which found that a variety of music activates pathways in the brain which compete with pain pathways, effectively distracting the brain by eliciting an intellectual and emotional response to the music. Of the 143 subjects studied, those with high anxiety levels found the music to be the most helpful; this may be important for individuals who are highly anxious at their diagnosis or at the prospect of potentially painful daily treatment, for example, insulin injections for those with diabetes.
Improving all round health
Interesting research from the Netherlands has demonstrated that playing music can actually be good for your heart. In the pilot study, a variety of musicians including pianists, singers and guitarists found that regular practice improved cardiovascular performance and alleviated symptoms of stress and anxiety. Another study from the American Society of Hypertension concluded that even just listening to the soothing sounds of a sitar could help to lower blood pressure. Finally, researchers at McGill University have found that listening to music releases dopamine, a neurotransmitter in the brain associated with pleasure. This can improve positivity and happiness, helping patients adopt a more resilient mindset.
Boosting social skills
Perhaps one unexpected benefit of music to those with chronic health conditions is the boost in confidence and social skills it can provide. Research has shown that there is often a correlation between loneliness and long term illness, but music has a great power to help overcome this, either by playing it with others or simply sharing a passion for a particular band or genre. From local orchestras and concerts to online fan forums, reaching out to people with something in common can make a huge difference to someone experiencing a long term condition.
Science has confirmed in numerous cases that there are aspects of listening to or playing music which can physically help those living with long term health conditions. From helping to manage pain to reducing anxiety, stress and high blood pressure, being given access to an instrument or sound system can be a really important part of caring for health. The importance of gaining confidence and pleasure through shared music experiences should not be overlooked either; this can be a valuable tool against isolation and depression.