Music therapy increases effectiveness of pulmonary rehabilitation for COPD patients

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2015-12/tmsh-mti122315.php

Public Release: 23-Dec-2015
Music therapy increases effectiveness of pulmonary rehabilitation for COPD patients
The Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine

Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and other chronic respiratory disorders who received music therapy in conjunction with standard rehabilitation saw an improvement in symptoms, psychological well-being and quality of life compared to patients receiving rehabilitation alone, according to a new study by researchers at The Louis Armstrong Center of Music and Medicine at Mount Sinai Beth Israel (MSBI). Study findings were published this week in Respiratory Medicine and suggest that music therapy may be an effective addition to traditional treatment.

COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States with symptoms including shortness of breath, wheezing, an ongoing cough, frequent colds or flu, and chest tightness. Patients with COPD are often socially isolated, unable to get to medical services and underserved in rehabilitation programs, making effective treatment difficult.

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