The results of this study provided additional proof on the efficacy of music in pain reduction. Through the use of preferred music, the participants generally endured the induced pain for a longer time with less anxiety, and a higher perceived control over pain as compared with visual distraction and silence control conditions (Mitchell, MacDonald, and Knussen, 2008). In terms of efficacy, visual art has no significant difference with the control condition except for the perceived distraction which was rated by most participants higher during control condition (Mitchell, MacDonald, and Knussen, 2008).
Similar to the results of other studies, pain intensity has mixed ratings. Based on VAS, pain ratings were lower in music condition than in control condition; however, this result failed to be reinforced by the McGill instrument (Mitchell, MacDonald, and Knussen, 2008). The music preferences of the participants were varied in genre and structure but similarly lessened the intensity of pain (Mitchell, MacDonald, and Knussen, 2008). Also, it was inferred that even though participants may probably used to listen with different kinds of music genre, this variety is functionally the same.
In addition, listening to music preferences may elicit higher emotional response that in turn evokes cognitive attributes by means of emotional engagement and perceptual processes involved in distraction process in pain reduction (Mitchell, MacDonald, and Knussen, 2008). Analysis This research on the efficacy of music and artworks on the reduction of pain provided insights on the cognitive and affective processes which probably involved in the mechanism of pain perception. Also, the instruments utilized for the quantification of each dependent factor were all valid and reliable as proven by other similar studies.
This has made the implications of the results of the present study to be of prime importance for further progress of studies regarding audioanalgesia. Nevertheless, the authors not only validated the feasibility of pain reduction through music but most importantly included a form of art, painting, which is new for this endeavor. They attempted to compare the efficacy of music with that of artworks in pain perception. As such, they were able to prove that artwork also significantly affect pain perception. However, since the pain is induced, the findings may not probably similar to the actual cases of chronic pain suffering.
Hence, this study should be replicated with a specific real chronic-pain case. Still, socio-demographic characteristics of the participants should be incorporated for these may probably affect the pain endurance. For instance, individuals that are used to hard works such as construction workers and farmers may probably endure pain in longer time as compared with office workers.
References
Mitchell, L. A. , MacDonald, R. A. R. , and Knussen, C. (2008). An Investigation of the Effects of Music and Art on Pain Perception. Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts, 2(3), 162-170.