ER Doctors are surprised by the effectiveness of natural treatments.

Being taken to the hospital due to a health emergency like appendicitis, intestinal obstruction, or gall bladder inflammation can result in significant pain and both physical and emotional stress. Additionally, the hospital environment with its sights and sounds can be unsettling for almost anyone.

To alleviate distress for patients in such situations, researchers explored the potential benefits of an unexpected natural remedy: music. This treatment doesn't involve nutrients, herbs, or ointments, but rather the calming sounds of music.

Music may not be the first natural remedy one would associate with a doctor's office or emergency room, but recent research indicates it has a valuable place there.

Clinical studies have demonstrated that music can reduce pain and anxiety, alleviate stress, lower blood pressure, and enhance mood in ways that surprise medical professionals.

What's more, listening to music is a simple and relaxing self-care practice that can be easily implemented at home.

Music's Therapeutic Effects

Music, whether listened to or performed, not only brings joy and meaning to people's lives but also offers numerous health and well-being benefits. While we have previously discussed the advantages of music in this newsletter, its effectiveness in alleviating the pain and anxiety of patients awaiting urgent surgery had not been tested until now.

A nurse at Odense University Hospital in Denmark, Lisa Antonsen, working in the Department of Emergency Medicine, pondered the potential of music to assist these patients. However, before conducting any studies, she had to devise a way to utilize music without disturbing or annoying other patients or medical staff.

The solution? A distinctive musical pillow.

A Medical Device with Musical Therapy

Since 2003, Danish oboist and composer Niels Eje, in collaboration with medical researchers, has been developing music designed to mimic natural sounds, providing comfort, serenity, and inspiration for patients.

These musical compositions are complemented by nature sounds recorded at various locations, collectively known as MusiCure.

While the music can be enjoyed with earplugs or headphones, the MusiCure Pillow, equipped with built-in speakers, was specifically created for hospitals and care facilities. It is classified as a Class 1 Medical Device in the European Union (EU).

The pillow underwent trials with patients undergoing procedures such as colonoscopy, bronchoscopy, cardiac surgery, and those experiencing delirium. The results showed that the pillow:

• Reduced feelings of anxiety, stress, and pain
• Decreased the need for medication
• Lowered cortisol levels (the stress hormone)
• Increased oxytocin levels (the "peace/love hormone")
• Enhanced feelings of calmness, well-being, motivation, and inspiration

Ms. Antonsen decided to use the musical pillow to investigate whether music could alleviate pain, induce relaxation, and enhance well-being for patients awaiting urgent surgery, as well as to explore the patients' feedback on the device.

Enhancing Patient Experience

She and her colleagues enrolled 14 men and 16 women aged between 18 and 93 who used the pillow for 30 minutes.

Prior to and following pillow use, patients rated their pain, relaxation, and well-being on a scale from 0 to 10. Subsequently, 15 patients were interviewed about their experience.

The findings revealed a reduction in pain by more than a point, from an average of 4.8 to 3.7, an increase in relaxation from 4.6 to 7.6, and a rise in well-being from 4.3 to 6.6.

Ms. Antonsen elaborated, stating, “The patients reported both physical and mental well-being while listening to the music. They felt at ease and found themselves distracted from the pain and worries associated with the surgery. Thus, the music session offered a reprieve from the intense hospital environment.”

For instance, a 65-year-old female patient shared with researchers, “It helped me relax, and for a moment, I forgot that I was in the hospital. I imagined myself outdoors, listening to the sounds of birds.”

The musical pillow used in this initial study continues to be utilized in Ms. Antonsen’s emergency department, with hopes for its permanent inclusion.

My Perspective

These outcomes and the research being conducted in Europe do not surprise me. Despite substantial evidence supporting their efficacy and safety, many straightforward natural treatments and therapies are still met with resistance in the conventional medical system in the United States.

The encouraging aspect is that, especially in the case of using music as a form of treatment, one does not require a doctor or a specialized pillow to harness its healing potential. You can access at least two MusiCure tracks for free on their website: https://musicure.dk/en/home or find them on YouTube by searching “MusiCure.”

Furthermore, it is easy to discover, play, and download calming music with nature sounds on your own device for yourself or a loved one experiencing pain or anxiety in the emergency room or elsewhere. Next time you are dealing with illness, pain, or anxiety, consider trying it out and assessing its impact on your well-being. Just remember to use headphones if you are in a public setting!