Virginia Research Day 2025

Medical Student Research Clinical

16 A Forgotten Therapy: The Effects of Music Therapy on Patient Outcomes in COPD and Asthma

Cameron Woo; Alycia Auerbeck; Lileen Rochelle; Christian Woo Corresponding author: cwoo02@vcom.edu

Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Virginia Campus

The power of music is undeniable. Almost everyone can recount a story in their personal lives where they have been emotionally affected by music. Music has been used in clinical settings to improve neurological as well as physical outcomes. Music, and more specifically, music therapy, is a broad term that describes the use of music as a tool for medical therapy. This includes both listening to and playing music, depending on the therapeutic modality or targeted condition. Despite its potential, music therapy research still remains a burgeoning frontier with many disparate papers being produced. This

paper seeks to determine if the addition of music therapy compared to standard care alone reduces symptoms and improves respiratory function in individuals with COPD and asthma. Using PubMed, 27 randomized controlled trials evaluated the outcomes of music therapy in patients with COPD or asthma. However, of the 27 trials, 10 studies included fewer than 30 participants. Also of note was a lack of clarity and consistency as to what defined each music therapy. Some therapeutic modalities involved listening to music while performing other physical

therapies to improve respiratory functions, whereas other modalities involved playing an instrument to improve respiratory functions. Despite the variability across studies, it is significant to note that 22 articles reported an improvement in respiratory functions. With the continued growth in the field of music therapy, there is an increasing need for research that standardizes definitions of music therapy, additional primary research, and a clearer differentiation between the therapeutic effects of listening to music versus performing music as an intervention.

141 2025 Research Recognition Day