Complimentary and alternative therapies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Relaxation

 

 One particular type of relaxation technique is music therapy, this can involve music listening which may possess the ability to evoke joyful memories associated with the music. This provides a temporary distraction from pain, anxiety or unconstructive thoughts and may influence the endocrine/nervous systems.

 

Evidence:

A review in Cochrane 2011 examined 30 trials involving 1891 patients. Findings suggested that guided music therapy demonstrated reduction in the rating of pain amongst patients who were subjected to therapist led compared to control (pre- recorded music played).

Furthermore, findings suggests that music therapy may have a positive effect on anxiety, quality of life, blood pressure and breathing. However, there was a lack of blinding in the study and therefore bias may have occurred so the data portrayed should be interpreted with caution.