Researchers from the American Society of Anesthesiologists announced they are a step closer to uncovering the experience of Jazz music in patients who are recovering after undertaking elective hysterectomies.

Researchers said jazz music, a genre that originated in African-American communities in the U.S by the end of the 19^th century, may help patients who listen to the music reduce their pain and heart rate after a surgery.

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Jazz music is known for its emphasis on improvisation and musical expression. For decades, people from New Orleans claimed to have known about the good effects it has on their health.

In addition to the music, researchers also confirmed that silence can also help lower pain as well as heart rate.

The new study involved 56 patients. Twenty-eight of them were assigned to listen to jazz music, and 28 were assigned to wear noise-cancelling headsets for complete silence.

After 30 minutes, researchers monitored the patients' heart rates from both groups and found they were significantly reduced.

After 20 more minutes, the results show that heart rates from the jazz group were lower compared to the other group, but pain decreased significantly in patients from the noise-cancellation group.

"The goal is to find out how we can incorporate this into our care, we need to determine what kind of music works best, when we should play it and when silence is best." said Dr. Flower Austin, the lead study author.

"But it's clear that music as well as silence are cost effective, non-invasive and may increase patient satisfaction."

Many health professionals are now looking into the potential use of music for therapy. It actually began in the U.S after World War 2, when musicians played for returning veterans.

Jazz Drummer Ed Thigpen attested to the healing powers of musical instruments. He said, "You'd be surprised. It triggers things. You get an emotional experience that sound triggers. It's like a steady heartbeat, the pulse."

TagsJazz Music, Music Therapy, American Society of Anesthesiologists, Silence, Ed Thigpen, World War 2