Assignement 5

Curiosando su PubMed in cerca di qualcosa di interessante a me comprensibile ho fatto qualche ricerca sull' uso della musica in medicina e sono incappato in alcuni articoli riguardanti alcune ricerche che ho trovato molto interessanti; ne riporto due:

"OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness of two individualized psychosocial treatments in reducing the frequency of physically and verbally agitated behaviors in nursing home residents whose dementia was complicated by marked behavioral disturbance. METHODS: Thirty nursing home residents with frequent, severe behavioral disturbances were observed by research staff before, during, and after multiple, randomized, single-blind exposures to 15-minute audiotapes of simulated family presence (a conversation prepared by a family member about positive experiences from the past), music preferred by the resident in earlier life, and a placebo condition of a reading from a horticultural text. Selected (usually multiple) physical and verbal behaviors were counted as present or absent at regular intervals. All three treatment conditions were compared with usual care. RESULTS: Simulated presence and preferred music both proved effective in reducing counts of physically agitated behaviors. Simulated presence, but not music, resulted in significantly reduced counts of verbally agitated behaviors. The placebo tape proved more effective than expected. Participants' responses to simulated presence and music varied widely. Behavior counts fell by one-half or more in many cases. Other residents became more agitated. CONCLUSION: Participants' better-than-expected responses to the placebo tape suggest that even the simplest technology can improve the lives of confused, disturbed nursing home residents. Of the two psychosocial treatments, preferred music tapes were easier to make and were clearly helpful in many instances. By contrast, family members often struggled to recall enough happy memories to compile a simulated presence tape. Simulated presence might prove just as effective if relatives speak on topics of their own choosing. Although not all residents were helped by these treatments, adverse effects were mild and shortlived."

"PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Although the literature on complementary therapy, including music, is vast, there are few studies conducted in a scientific fashion exploring physiologic mechanisms. This review summarizes recent evidence on the effects of music on the hypermetabolic response of critical illness. RECENT FINDINGS: Music may restore some of the distorted homeostasis observed in ICU patients, as well as reducing pain and the need for sedation. Music likely reduces alterations in the hypothalamic-anterior pituitary-peripheral hormone axes that produce cortisol and growth hormone. Music may also increase growth hormone levels, which can induce decreased production of cytokines such as IL-6 by white blood cells. Further, ovarian steroid secretion may paradoxically protect women by increasing baseline circulating stress hormones, providing an opportunity for music therapy to intervene effectively. Dopaminergic neurotransmission has been implicated as a means by which music can modulate the central nervous system. SUMMARY: Music may play an important role as an adjunct therapy in critical care. However, further studies are necessary to elucidate how music can be further integrated clinically and the precise underlying mechanisms of its beneficial effects."

Da queste e da altre ricerche emerge come la musica possa essrere uno strumento utilizzabili in diversi trattamenti riguardanti persone ansiane con problemi di demenza senile e neonati; come possa essere uno strumento di comunicazione con i bambini in fase pre-natale e come possa essere anche utilizzata per alleviare le sofferenze di alcune malattie e di alcuni trattamenti.

Per quanto riguarda l'aspetto tecnico della mia ricerca devo dire che inizialmente mi sono trovato spiazzato dalla quantità e dalla varietà di informazioni reperibili si PubMed; ma dopo avere letto qualche tutorial sono riuscito ad indirizzare la mia ricerca su un argomento più ristretto e infine grazie ai "limits" sono riuscito a trovare una quindicina di articoli da leggere.
Penso che PubMed possa essere un utile mezzo di aggiornamento e di ricerca per chiunque sia interessato a questi argomenti; sono però anche convinto che potrà essermi molto più utile quando avrò un miglior bagaglio di conoscenze.