The C.A.M. Report
Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Fair, Balanced, and to the Point
  • About this web log

    This blog ran from 2006 to 2016 and was intended as an objective and dispassionate source of information on the latest CAM research. Since my background is in pharmacy and allopathic medicine, I view all CAM as advancing through the development pipeline to eventually become integrated into mainstream medical practice. Some will succeed while others fail. But all are treated fairly here.

  • About the author

    John Russo, Jr., PharmD, is president of The MedCom Resource, Inc. Previously, he was senior vice president of medical communications at www.Vicus.com, a complementary and alternative medicine website.

  • Common sense considerations

    The material on this weblog is for informational purposes. It is not medical advice or counsel. Be smart, consult your health professional before using CAM.

  • Recent Posts

  • Recent Comments

    Music therapy for patients with heart disease?

    Some changes are reported.

    But from a practical perspective, the benefits of music are unclear, according to this Cochrane review.

    First, the details.

    • 23 studies that included 1461 patients were reviewed.
    • Additional information was sought from the study researchers when necessary.

    And, the results.

    • Music listening has a moderate but inconsistent effect on anxiety in patients with coronary heart disease.
    • Listening to music reduces heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure.
    • Studies that included 2 or more music sessions showed a small and consistent pain-reducing effect.
    • There wasn’t strong evidence for reducing psychological distress.
    • No evidence peripheral skin temperature effects.
    • No study measured changes in hormone levels.
    • Only one study measured quality of life.

    The bottom line?
    Based on the results of studies that used pre-recorded music, the authors concluded, “the evidence is not strong and the clinical significance unclear.”

    OK, but it’s music.

    What did the reviewers expect: decreased hospitalizations, reduced need for statins, lower mortality?

    IT’S MUSIC!

    Isn’t decreased anxiety and improved vital signs — including reduced pain — enough to turn on an easy listening radio station?

    4/16/09 13:20 JR

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