20091013 -- Music to Patients' Ears (2)

Music to Patients' Ears

Jose Haro personally experienced the benefits of music therapy when he was recovering from heart surgery. During his recovery, he played a piano whose keys lit up, indicating which keys to touch to play along with the background music. Soon, he was playing tunes and noticing something strange. "I was searching for my pain," he says of his experience, " but it was gone."

While Haro's experience provides anecdotal evidence of the power of music to relieve pain, scientific research has proven music also helps patients with Alzheimet's isease and and arthritis.

In addition, music therapy helps premature babies. Doctors are tapping into a powerful way to teach premature babies that haven't yet learned how to suck: lullabies. Doctors use a device that soothes the babies by playing music when they suck on a pacifier. Soon, the babies learn to suck in return for music, gaining weight faster and going home earlier than those who don't use the device.

Even perfectly healthy people are discovering the power of music to calm and heal. Drum circles attract people who find stress relief in pounding out rhythms. While music isn't a cure-all, it does make life a little easier.


anecdotal adj. 軼事的/趣聞的
eg: Harry's description of the accident is only anecdotal. We don't know the facts.
eg: This report mostly consists of anecdotal evidence.

anecdote n. 傳聞/趣聞
eg: the anecdotes of celebrities 名人的趣聞

pre- 之前的
premature adj. 早產的
eg: This premature baby is at a greater risk for infection than a full-term baby.
eg: premature baby 早產兒
eg: Brenda was born a premature infant, and that's why she has developed more slowly.

premature adj. 草率的
eg: The decision seems a little premature without consulting others.

soothe v. 起撫慰(或鎮定)作用/安慰/使平靜
=> make someone calmer or less anxious or less upset
eg: Whenever her baby cries uncontrollably, Mary soothes him by singing softly and patting him on the back.
eg: The soft texture of the blanket can soothe her.
eg: Massages can soothe tense muscles.

soothing adj. 慰藉的/使人寬心的/鎮靜的
eg: I love the soothing atmosphere of the spa.

cure-all n. 萬靈丹
=> something cures anything
eg: My mom thinks this vitamin is a cure-all for all kinds of problems, but I don't believe her.


Alzheimer's disease 阿爾茨海默氏病/早老性痴呆病
arthritis n. 關節炎

lullaby n. 催眠曲/搖籃曲
pacifier n. 橡皮奶頭


//== Chat room ==//

He played a piano whose keys lit up.
=> He played a piano, the keys of which lit up.
(用法太正式，讀起來比較繞口)

eg: The car, whose engine is old, still runs smoothly.

who's
= who is
eg: Who's coming?

//== Grammer on the go ==//

Soon, the babies learn to suck in return for music...
=> The babies soon learn to suck in exchange for music....

in return for 報答/回報
=> payment or an exchange for something

eg: Brian is willing to mow the lawn for his parents in return for some extra spending money.
eg: In return for your kindless, I would like to invite you out for dinner.