Schmerz ist beeinflussbar: Angst vor der Spritze? Hören Sie Ihre Lieblingsmusik!

Listening to one's favorite music may help reduce the perceived pain of a vaccination or other medical procedure, according to a small study published in the journal "Frontiers in Pain Research." The research, led by Andrei Cristinel Dragnea from the University Hospital Zurich, examined 204 participants aged 17 to 83 who were undergoing MRI scans requiring contrast material. Participants were divided into four groups, each exposed to different types of music during the needle insertion.

The study found that patients who listened to their favorite music reported a noticeable reduction in pain compared to those who listened to no music or other types of music. Mozart's Sonata for Two Keyboards in D-Dur, KV 448, composed by Alfred Brendel and Walter Klein, showed a significant pain-relieving effect only in individuals who already experienced pain before the needle prick.

In contrast, relaxation music did not produce a significant reduction in perceived pain, possibly because it was slow, quiet, and lacked dynamic intensity.

The researchers suggest that patients, particularly those who enjoy music, could benefit from listening to it during medical procedures. The clinic plans to incorporate music use into venipuncture procedures, especially for anxious or claustrophobic patients. However, the study's limited sample size, non-randomized group allocation, and brief, mild pain experienced during venipuncture restrict the generalizability of the findings to more extensive or painful medical interventions.