The effect of singing on pain management with orthopedic chronic pain patients

Abstract: This study investigated the effect of personalized singing programs on pain management with adult chronic orthopedic pain patients. The hypothesis was that the subjects would experience significant levels of pain reduction while practicing a self-directed singing program, and an even more significant level of pain reduction while working directly with the researcher; as compared to subjects who did not participate in the singing program. A total of four subjects were used, two who sang and two who did not (due to lack of accumulated data, one of the control patients' contribution was void). Subjects ranged in age from thirty to sixty years. The main measurement consisted of the McGill Daily Home Recording Card. Pre and post experimental questionnaires, included in a descriptive case material section, were also used for the two subjects participating in the singing program. Due to the small sample size, and diversity of symptoms, responses and problems in the method of scoring, no statistically significant results were obtained. The subject not in the singing program experienced higher levels of pain intensity than did the subjects who sang. Due to differences in diagnosis and lifestyles between the subjects, meaningful comparisons were difficult to make. It appeared that the singing program had no adverse effects on the two subjects. Both of the subjects who sang said that they would like to continue singing and using music as a means of therapy. In general, the information gathered from the subjects' personal responses, although not statistically measurable, supported the approach.

Keyword(s): Singing, pain-management, orthopedics.

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