The ancient relationship between music and medicine has been understood since the Ancient Greeks. Today, music therapy has developed into an organized discipline and can be used to address the emotional, cognitive, and even physical needs of patients. Though music therapy is a relatively new field, primary studies demonstrate its effectiveness in both dialysis and kidney transplant patients. Additionally, it is known that some physicians play music during procedures such as kidney biopsies to help calm themselves and their patients. We have a very rudimentary understanding of the healing properties of music, so this is an active field of investigation for nephrologists and researchers alike.
As we strive to unravel the links between music and medicine, the intersection between the two becomes more evident. Several famous musicians suffered from kidney disease, including Beethoven and Mozart. Music has always played an important role in health and there are also many physicians who are distinguished musicians as well.
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