Problem: Chronic low back pain is a very common problem in the United States, and analgesics are not always effective. Although music therapy has been shown to reduce pain, limited research specifically on individuals with chronic low back pain exists. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of an alternative therapy (music therapy) on the management of pain, in outpatient adults 18 years or older with chronic low back pain with a duration of six months or greater.
Subjects: A non-probability sample (N=23) of individuals with chronic low back pain was selected from a “Pain Clinic” within a suburb of a southern state.
Methodology: A randomized, experimental study was used with an experimental pre-test post-test design. The tool was the McGill Pain Questionnaire, modified by the investigators. Consent was obtained prior to participation.
Theoretical Framework: Dorothy Orem’s Self Care Deficit Nursing Theory guided this study.
Findings: Findings were based on two hypotheses: a) music therapy will decrease the perception of chronic low back pain in adults 18 years and older as compared to adults who do not use music therapy, and; b) by increasing the individual’s knowledge to perform self-care using music therapy, their ability to manage their chronic low back pain will be enhanced. Both hypotheses were statistically insignificant. Analysis revealed a trend indicating that music decreased pain; the small sample size inhibited any significance.
Implications: Music decreases pain, is a form of self-care, and should be considered as an intervention for pain management and reduction. This study needs to be replicated using a larger sample size and an alternative method for obtaining post-test questionnaires.
Session #1223 - Graduate Student Poster Session
The 29th Annual MNRS Research Conference (April 1-4, 2005)