Research has already pointed to some of the benefits that can be found in music and art therapy for those individuals suffering from mental illness or decreased cognitive functioning, but new research is also indicating that music therapy can also be beneficial to those suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. COPD is a major illness and can be very difficult to treat, and any sort of advance in the treatment of those suffering from this disease is very welcome.
This study, conducted by The Louis Armstrong Center of Music and Medicine at Mount Sinai Beth Israel found that patients being treated for COPD had better overall recovery when music therapy was received in conjunction with normal rehabilitation services. This included mental health, psychological well being, quality of life, and a reduction in symptoms. This particular study had 68 participants. Who received which treatment was completely randomized in order to try and increase the accuracy of the study. They were observed over the course of six weeks. For the sake of a thorough definition, the participants were allowed to listen to their favorite music, self expression was highly encouraged, and it allowed them to learn how to cope with their chronic illness as a result.
Why this happens is not quite clear. One guess is that increased levels of mental wellness helped the rest of the body. Other studies have shown that mental health allows patients to have a further resolve to fight their disease, and this could very well be the case here. COPD is a chronic illness, but it doesn’t necessarily need to be a death sentence. Instead, when there is more incentive to fight, more worth “living for,” if you will, the prognosis seems to improve. A lot more research is needed of course, and 68 patients is a very small number, but there is a lot of hope that stems from this.
When it comes to seniors suffering from COPD, music therapy is certainly not a replacement for current methods of treatment. But this study does suggest that when added to traditional treatment, the outcome can be much better. COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States right now, and better treatment is needed, especially as many more elderly people are diagnosed with it year after year. The senior population is growing, and the bigger this population gets, the harder that managing their therapies will become. It’s important to educate people about the dangers of smoking to help in the future, but for now, better treatment is still needed. The study cited above only lasted for six weeks, and COPD can be a lifelong struggle once a diagnosis is made. However, this is definitely a start and it will hopefully spur forward further research in this area. It is important that alternative treatments like this keep occurring and growing. If you already have a loved one suffering from COPD, it’s also important to address other needs. A professional in-home caregiver might be another thing to incorporate into your repertoire.
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