Hospitals are starting to use music to help patients feel less pain. At UC San Diego Health in the United States, a nurse named Rod Salaysay plays the guitar and ukulele for patients after surgery. This idea became more popular in the early 2000s when more researchers studied music and pain. Some studies in the journals Pain and Scientific Reports said that music does not stop pain completely, but it helps people feel calmer and less worried. Some patients also asked for fewer pain medicines.

Researchers found that music helps in different ways. A study in the Netherlands at Erasmus University Rotterdam tested 548 people. They listened to different kinds of music, such as classical, pop, rock, and electronic, while their hands were in cold water. People could stay longer when they listened to music they liked. Experts said that music takes attention away from pain, lowers stress, and makes people feel more positive. The results are not the same for everyone. The effect depends on the type of music, how much the person likes it, and how closely the person listens. Music cannot replace medical treatment, but it is safe, cheap, and easy to use. Many hospitals now see music as a helpful tool in patient care.