Music as Distraction and Relaxation to Reduce Chronic Pain and Narcotic Ingestion: A Case Study

The purpose of this study was to examine the use of music for relaxation and distraction in pain management for a patient suffering from chronic pain due to multiple medical procedures for severe endometriosis. Sessions included music listening, imagery and relaxation, and vocal and instrumental rehearsal and were designed to provide the patient with skills to independently use these techniques for pain management in her home environment Comparison of the pre- and post- McGill Pain Questionnaire scores indicated a 48 to 37 decrease, 23% reduction, in pain perception. Comparison of the pre- and post-Pain Coping Questionnaire scores indicated a mean increase from 2.8 to 5.6 in self-management coping skills (50%increase), a mean reduction from 3.3 to 2.0 in helplessness (40%decrease), a mean reduction in reliance on social supports from 4.8 to 3.2 (33% reduction), and a mean reduction in need for medical remedies from 5.0 to 3.3 (33% reduction) in order to cope with her chronic pain. Graphic analysis of patient's self-reported daily frequency of pan episodes, severity level, and narcotics ingestion was completed. Episodes decreased from a daily average of 3.1 at baseline to 2.3 at termination with a treatment low of 1.8. Decreases were also noted in mean pain level from 7.2 to 6.8 with a low of 5.8 and daily narcotics ingestion from a mean of 1.0 to 0.7 tablets with a treatment low of O.