A Polyphony of Dimensions: Music, Pain, and Aesthetic Perception

Abstract

The article addresses the phenomenon of pain and the music therapeutic treatment of pain, with consideration of the involved functional and representational brain functions and its connected epistemological problems. A 2-fold description of the therapeutic process is presented whereby a transmodal process linking affective-sensory pain with audio music experience and an assignment of musical symbols to pain lead to a modification of the pain experience. A theory of aesthetic perception serves as the framework and as a platform for interdisciplinary discussion.

Neuronal Effects of Listening to Entrainment Music Versus Preferred Music in Patients With Chronic Cancer Pain as Measured via EEG and LORETA Imaging

“…A main theoretical premise for these two phases involves the therapist’s empathetic relationship with both the client and his/her pain, through the process of an extensive verbal interview and musical experimentation and improvisation between client and therapist to imagine the sound of the pain through various musical elements including instrument choices, tone color, dynamics, pulse, rhythm, and/or pitch. For example, Metzner (2012) described how a client chose to scrape a metal rod on the edge of a cymbal to depict a sharp, icy sensation of her pain perception. Through a similar process of interview and sound exploration, the client and therapist then develop a depiction of healing music.…”

“…Through a similar process of interview and sound exploration, the client and therapist then develop a depiction of healing music. Metzner (2012) also described how the same client chose the sound of an ocean drum as her healing music to connect with a positive memory of a visit to the ocean and a rainstorm. After assisting the participant in objectively describing the pain through music, the therapist then resonates with the participant’s pain and healing experience by playing the participant-created music while the participant is in a relaxed, aware state.…”

“…Thus the therapist validates the participant’s pain and healing experience and provides unique support for the participant in coping with the pain. Metzner (2012) refers to this intervention by its German term Musik-imaginative Schmerzbehandlung (“music-imaginative pain treatment”) and describes how the intervention incorporates the subjective experience of pain sensation and perception, followed by the intersubjective phenomena of pain description and expression. Because the purpose of this intervention is to increase focus on the physical experience of pain and healing as a means of promoting increased control over pain perception, Hauck et al (2013) describe Entrainment as the use of music as a means of active coping.…”

Facilitated music listening: Music therapy in an invasive cardiac procedure

“…The therapist’s guidance is carefully attuned to the patient based on clinical observation and therapeutic communication. The patient is briefed on relevant coping strategies to enhance the effect of music listening: breathing techniques, muscle relaxation and/or visualisation based on principles from receptive music therapy induction, pain treatment and procedural support (Ghetti, 2012; Grocke, 2016; Grocke and Wigram, 2007; Hanser, 2014; Metzner, 2012; Schou, 2008). Together, the patient and the Music Therapist make a final plan for music listening during the surgical procedure the following day using the patient-chosen playlists.…”

Improvement of pain experience and changes in heart rate variability through music-imaginative pain treatment

“…In this context, Music-imaginative Pain Treatment (MIPT) is an intervention that proves to be increasingly successful. It was initially developed as “entrainment” within a single session ( 3 , 4 ) and later established as a manualized treatment by Metzner ( 5 ).…”