SOUND AND HEALTH
Sound has long been known to have an impact on human beings. Drumming to induce a trance state may be the oldest form of sound healing originating in prehistoric times. Recent research into the effects of sound on the human body has shown many intriguing effects. It is well known that exposure to overly loud noise damages the delicate ends of the hearing nerve in the ear. Less well known is that loud sound can lower markers of immunity in the blood. Another study showed that workers in jobs of high complexity and exposure to loud sound had evidence of elevation of blood pressure and lessening of job satisfaction compared to workers in similar jobs without loud sound exposure. Another study of a woman with epilepsy showed that her seizures could be triggered by exposure to loud rock music, specifically “Dreamlover” by Mariah Carey.
Research on music in newborns in a hospital nursery showed they had less agitation after suctioning, needed less sedative medication and had higher levels of oxygen in the blood when music was played in the nursery. Another study of premature infants with low birth weights had improved feeding, enhanced development and greater bonding to parents with 30 minutes of music 3 times daily. Cancer patients receiving radiation therapy and listening to music of their choice had lower levels of anxiety. Women awaiting breast biopsy were randomized to music or placebo before the biopsy. Anxiety levels were lower before and after the procedure in the women who listened to music. A similar result occurred in patients undergoing colonoscopy. In addition, patients required less sedation for the procedure.
A study of 111 volunteers who listened to drumming showed lowered levels of stress hormone (cortisol) and increase in immune cell numbers (NK cells). Another study of patients with neurological disease showed similar results.
Several programs in musical thanatology have been recently developed. The programs train musicians to use music in hospitals, hospices and home settings to ease the transition of dying people. Research has shown a positive effect on patients and families when soothing music is played during these inherently stressful events. More esoteric forms of using sound have been studied and developed in recent years. One type of healing believes that each illness or disease has a distinctive sound frequency that neutralizes the illness and speeds the healing process. Claims of rapid and complete healing have been made but little clinical research exists yet.
Daniel Blodgett MD