Music Helps Patients Reduce Stress

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - It was a review of twenty-three studies and the results were quite impressive -- especially for people going through long term treatments for various conditions, especially at various facilities.

We have seen it in cases of heart disease. Music can reduce stress in heart disease patients. Listening to music may help heart patients, and other patients as well, reduce their stress and anxiety when undergoing treatments. This is what researchers concluded.

It was a small review, but it was still somewhat significant. Only two of the twenty-three studies involved patients treated by trained music therapists. The rest involved patients who listened to pre-recorded music on CDs. Patients who listened to music reduced their heart rate and blood pressure. There was also some evidence that music could help boost mood as well.

Reported By Dr. Brian McDonough, KYW Newsradio Medical Editor