Music is an maazing tool that can improve your mental health and well-being, but it mght be even more effective than we thought.
Researchers at Michigan State University have found that music-listening interventions can enhance the effectiveness of medicines, including for chemotherapy-induced nausea.
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This innovative approach, spearheaded by Jason Kiernan, an assistant professor in the College of Nursing, involved a pilot study with 12 chemotherapy patients who listened to their favorite music for 30 minutes alongside their anti-nausea medication.
This approach was applied whenever nausea occurred over five days following chemotherapy treatment.
Although Kiernan observed a reduction in nausea severity and distress ratings, he notes the challenge of isolating the music's impact from the medication's effects.
For future research, Kiernan draws inspiration from a study on serotonin release after listening to pleasant and unpleasant music.
This connection is important as serotonin plays a role in chemotherapy-induced nausea, suggesting the potential for nonpharmacological interventions in conjunction with medication.