PCMusic – Support during Pain Management, Part 1

Although effective pain management interventions and programmes exist, provision of these services is regarded as inconsistent. There is evidence that multi–disciplinary methods are cost–effective in the treatment of pain, addressing the psychosocial, behavioral and biomedical aspects of pain states. It has been reported that music therapy and/or listening to music has a positive effect on the autonomic nervous system by reducing stress, focusing attention and effecting emotions, which in turn reduces pain experiences. The most effective way of pain reduction has been recorded while listening to self–selected music chosen for enjoyment or desired personal effect. This paper elaborates on phenomenologically describing an interdisciplinary method, Person–centered music (PCMusic), a complementary pain reducing treatment where music is a key component. A secondary goal is that the method can be used in other areas than pain management. The adopted concept integrates knowledge and methods from multiple disciplines viz. music therapy, caring science and Integrated Mental Training (IMT). PCMusic is discussed from a phenomenological perspective followed by a discussion of the music therapist role as a provider in care. The question of self–management and the use of preferred or self–selected music in pain management are also addressed.