What is arthritis?

Arthritis and chronic pain are leading causes of visits to the doctor, missed days of work, decreased enjoyment of leisure activities, and difficulty with everyday tasks. There are more than 100 different types of arthritis and arthritis-related diseases, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, lupus, and fibromyalgia, and most can cause significant amounts of chronic pain. Forty-nine million American adults have been diagnosed with arthritis, and 21 million others report chronic joint pain (1). In addition, 300,000 American children are affected by arthritis (2).

What are the current medical treatments for arthritis?

Treatment of arthritis and chronic pain typically involves several modalities. People with milder arthritis may get good symptom control from over-the-counter analgesics such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, and more severe arthritis can be treated with prescription anti-inflammatories, pain killers, and anti-arthritis medications. In the past ten years, there has been an explosion of new drug treatments, and there are many more in development right now.

Are there treatments other than medicine for arthritis?

Medication is only part of treating arthritis and chronic pain. Lifestyle modifications, such as exercise and a healthful diet to maintain a good body weight can play a big role. Water exercise is especially good because it takes pressure off sore joints and muscles while allowing a good workout. Physical therapy can help strengthen muscles to support painful joints, improve range-of-motion, and help a person become more mobile. Braces, splints, canes, and walkers are sometimes useful, and adaptive devices such as specialty-grip silverware, long shoehorns, and modified doorknobs, light switches, and remote controls can make everyday tasks easier for people affected by arthritis. Complementary medicine, including acupuncture, nutritional supplements, and music therapy are also used. Music therapy may be helpful as an adjunct to medical therapy and may have an even bigger role for people who either cannot tolerate or prefer not to take medication.

What studies have been conducted using music to help those suffering from arthritis?

One study (3) reported in 2003 looked at the effect of music on older adults with osteoarthritis, sometimes known as degenerative arthritis, where the cartilage in the joints deteriorates, leading to joint pain. The study involved 66 people over age 65 with osteoarthritis pain who were randomly divided into treatment and control groups. The treatment group listened to 20 minutes of music, chosen by the investigators to be relaxing, each morning for 14 days, while the control group sat quietly in a comfortable chair but were allowed to read. Participants filled out a pain questionnaire immediately before and after this 20-minute session. The study showed that pain levels decreased in the group of people that listened to music, but the control group showed no decrease.

An earlier study (4) reported in 1993 evaluated the effect of music on pain from rheumatoid arthritis, an inflammatory arthritis where the immune system attacks the joints, causing damage and pain. This study enrolled 30 women with rheumatoid arthritis, all of whom listened to music; there was no control group. The women listened to music of their own choosing and filled out questionnaires before, during, and after listening. This study also showed that listening to music decreased pain levels.

Another study (5), reported in 2001, took a different approach by investigating the effect of playing a musical keyboard on hand osteoarthritis. Rather than concentrate on pain control, the investigators looked at improvement in dexterity and hand function as well. This small study involved four women in their 80’s who played folk songs and big band tunes on an electric piano for 20 minutes per session. An occupational therapist measured strength and dexterity before and after the study, and the participants evaluated their pain before and after each treatment session. Two people had less pain while playing, and three had improved dexterity, and all four enjoyed the sessions.

E.R.’s bottom line about arthritis and music:

Music therapy may be a helpful adjunct to medical management in the treatment of arthritis. Listening to music may help reduce pain levels, and playing a musical instrument may even help keep arthritic joints more limber and less painful.

We at E.R. Music are grateful to readers who inform us about new research being published involving music and arthritis or connective tissue diseases. We will review the studies and incorporate them into this chapter. Please join our mailing list if you would like to be kept informed of the latest developments.

Copyright 2008, E.R. Music, LLC

References

1. CDC.gov

2. Arthritis.org

3. McCaffrey, Ruth, and Freeman, Edward, “Effect of Music on Chronic Osteoarthritis Pain in Older Adults,” J of Advanced Nursing, 2003; 44(5), 507-16

4. Schorr, J., “Music and Pattern Change in Chronic Pain,” Adv Nurs Sci. 1993 Jun;15(4):27-36

5. Zelazney, Colleen, “Therapeutic Instrumental Music Playing in Hand Rehabilitation for Older Adults with Osteoarthritis: Four Case Studies,” J of Music Therapy, XXXVIII(2), 2001, 97-113.