Any parent who has held their screaming child down to get a shot or during a check-up knows how nerve-wracking a visit to the doctor can be.

It’s agonizing to watch your baby feel pain – even when it’s for their own good.  But what if there was a simple way to ease that pain?

Medical researchers at the University of Alberta have found that listening to music effectively reduces the amount of pain children perceive when they’re in the emergency room.

The team analyzed clinical trials with 42 children between the ages of three and 11 who came to the pediatric emergency department at the Stollery Children’s Hospital and needed IVs.

Some listened to music while receiving the IV and others did not. Researchers then noted the amount of stress each child expressed, their perceived level of pain, and their heart rate.

“We did find a difference in the children’s reported pain – the children in the music group had less pain immediately after the procedure,” said lead researcher Dr. Lisa Hartling.

“The finding is clinically important and it’s a simple intervention that can make a big difference. Playing music for kids during painful medical procedures would be an inexpensive and easy-to-use intervention in clinical settings.”

The conclusions make sense. We know that music affects mood, which is why many pregnant women make special soothing playlists for labor and delivery.

What do you think? Would you bring your iPod and speakers to your child’s next doctor appointment?