Music therapy as a post-operative mechanism for pain management in children

Problem: Pain in children during the post-operative period is a phenomenon that, although is well understood, is often inadequately treated, and more frequently undertreated. Documentation has shown inadequate treatment of pain in children interferes with daily functioning, and has an emotional impact on the post-operative experience and overall medicinal experience. However, the use and integration of music therapy as a means to cope with post-operative pain has proven to be beneficial and helps to prevent negative experiences as well as improve pain management. Methods: Peer-reviewed articles and clinical trials over the past twenty years, which explored assessment of pain, coping with post-operative pain in children as well as effects of music therapy in pain management, were used via PubMed search through the Cornell Medical College Library. Results: Results of this literature review demonstrated that coping mechanisms in addition to pharmaceutical means improved the amount of pain and overall post-operative experience in children. In addition to coping mechanisms improving pain, music therapy decreased the level of pain compared to the use of analgesics alone. The results proved children appeared happier and had a higher tolerance of pain. Conclusions: The use of analgesics is frequently used to treat pain in children; however, analgesics are often an inadequate method to properly treat pain. Music therapy in addition to analgesics appears to be an adequate method for pain management in order to create a more manageable post-operative experience for children.