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Reduces Blood Pressure and Heart Rate
Listening to music could benefit patients suffering from severe stress and anxiety associated with coronary heart disease and its treatment, according to a study by the Research Center for the Arts and Quality of Life at Temple University in Philadelphia (United States) published in The Cochrane Library magazine.
Specifically, the results of the work show that the practice of listening to music could decrease blood pressure, heart rate and anxiety levels in heart patients.
The authors point out that living with coronary heart disease is very stressful given the uncertainties and anxieties that surround the diagnosis and the medical procedures used in treatment, which can worsen the condition. Thus, by way of example, they cite that stress can increase blood pressure and increase the risk of complications. Listening to music may help alleviate stress and therefore reduce this risk.
In the words of Dr. Joke Bradt, director of the research, “Our findings suggest that listening to music could be beneficial for patients with coronary heart disease. But the trials we examined were generally small and varied in terms of music styles and length of listening sessions. However, more specific research will be done on this topic. ”
Better Mood
The researchers reviewed data from 23 studies that together included 1,461 patients. Two of the studies focused on patients treated by therapists trained in this area, but most used interventions in which patients listened to music recorded on CD provided by healthcare professionals.
Listening to music provided relief for coronary heart disease patients suffering from anxiety by reducing heart rate and blood pressure. Music was also indicated in some studies to improve mood, although no improvement was seen in patients suffering from depression from the disease.
As Dr. Bradt concludes, “We all know that music can influence our emotions, our physiological responses, and the way we view life, and this initial research shows that it is worth discovering how it can help patients. coronary heart disease. In particular, it would be interesting to know more about the possible benefits of music provided by professional therapists, which could differ from those associated with recorded music. ”
