Music therapy helps ease symptoms of fibromyalgia--study

The study found the therapeutic process of music combined with guided imagery not only reduced the chronic, widespread pain of this life-altering disorder, but also improved sleep and helped relieve stress and anxiety in patients.

Experts theorize that when patients tune in to the music, tension evaporates, freeing them of worries and concerns.

They are refreshed, renewed, in better control of their body and mood which in turn improves their personal well-being.

Details of the study
Researchers from the University of Granada tested the effect of the music therapy on patients suffering from the chronic ailment of fibromyalgia.

They recruited patients with the disease from the provinces of Granada, Almería and Córdoba, Spain.

The participants underwent a baseline evaluation at the onset of the study, at fours week interval and then at eight weeks after the intervention.

As a part of the study, the patients were entrusted with a CD and asked to listen to it at home throughout the treatment regimen. They were also given an option to plan their own treatment regimen through a personal understanding of their ailment.

With the help of the fibromyalgia impact questionnaire, the investigators measured the pain, physical functioning, fatigue, sleeplessness, morning tiredness, stiffness, depression, anxiety, daily activities and overall well-being of the subjects.

The study found the multi-factorial impact of music therapy and guided imagery helped patients tackle the symptoms associated with fibromyalgia.

Lead author of the study, Maria Dolores Onieva Zafra at the Department of Nursery of the University of Granada, Spain said, "further empirical research studies are needed to address other physiological variables associated with the well-being generated by these two techniques, and that analyze patients' self-efficiency and personal power to get involved in their own treatment.”

The study, published in the journal 'Pain Management Nursing.'

A little about fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia syndrome is a chronic musculoskeletal disorder that causes swelling, intense pain in muscles, connective tissues, joints as well soreness in the neck, shoulders and hips.

People with ailment hurt all over and feel exhausted which limits their physical activity. They may have other symptoms, such as trouble sleeping, morning stiffness, headaches, and problems concentrating and remembering things.

Fibromyalgia,is a complex and frequently misunderstood medical condition. The illness hard to treat and it often takes months for a proper diagnosis.

The cause for the disorder is unknown. Though, fibromyalgia can afflict anyone it is more common in middle-aged women.

There is no proper cure for fibromyalgia but medicines can help alleviate some symptoms.

Currently, it affects more than 6 million people in the United States.