Physician-innovators at Carle Illinois College of Medicine are bringing together music and advanced technologies to create new tools to improve recovery following cancer surgery. They are proving music is more than a mood enhancer; it is a powerful tool with measurable effects for patients.

It’s part of a growing body of research and innovation at CI MED that leverages the positive psychological and physiological effects of music to enhance healing. "Research has established the benefits of music therapy for patients with conditions ranging from depression and anxiety to Parkinson’s Disease to chronic pain, but we’re taking it a step further by integrating real-time physiological monitoring and AI-driven adjustments. This ensures that the therapeutic effects of music are not just anecdotal but measurable and personalized to each patient's needs," said Dr. Claudius Conrad, Associate Dean for Research and Innovation at CI MED. 

Conrad is both a classically trained concert pianist and a leading researcher into the power of music in medicine. Under Conrad’s leadership, CI MED’s study of music and the arts in medicine has expanded to produce innovations that couple technology with music therapy to maximize the benefit to patients.

"The combination of AI and music therapy represents a paradigm shift in personalized medicine,” Conrad said.

Play the video to learn more about Dr. Conrad's approach to music in medicine.

Sound Science

“By using real-time data on heart rate, stress markers, and other physiological responses, we can tailor music interventions dynamically—something that was never possible before. This bridges the gap between the emotional and scientific aspects of healing, offering a novel, patient-centered approach to recovery," Conrad explained.

One such innovation is led by CI MED student Annie Tigranyan and her team which builds on Conrad’s vision of advancing patient-centered applications of music therapy. They adapted an app that personalizes music therapy for patients recovering from cancer surgery. “Our AI-based music therapy responds in real-time to the patient’s physiological needs, ensuring that the music is actually working for them rather than just being background noise. If heart rate spikes or stress markers increase, the program adjusts – whether that means shifting from Metallica to Stevie Wonder or transitioning to a Chopin etude that elicits a profound emotional memory,” Tigranyan said.

Stress – both conscious and physiological – plays a major role in recovery.  CI MED researchers say while we can recognize when we feel anxious, our bodies often respond in ways we don’t consciously perceive. 

“By leveraging deep neural networks, we showed that AI-driven music interventions can significantly reduce anxiety and stress, making post-op recovery smoother and more patient-centered.” 

Annie Tigranyan,
CI MED Student

"This technology not only enhances recovery for surgical oncology patients but also democratizes access to effective music therapy,” Conrad said. “By making this intervention available via a simple smartphone app, we can extend personalized, data-driven healing to hospitals and patients who may not have access to traditional music therapy programs. It has the potential to become a standard adjunct to perioperative and postoperative care."

The app – called Rubato Life – makes it easy for clinicians to incorporate personalized therapy into patient treatment plans, even in rural hospitals that don’t have a music therapy program. “The level of personalization is key, especially for surgical oncology patients, who are among the most stressed individuals in our health care system,” Tigranyan said. She notes that music therapy also holds great promise in caring for diverse patients, including those recovering from trauma.

Tigranyan was selected to present her team’s work at the International Association for Music and Medicine and the International Society for Arts and Medicine Conference in Berlin, Germany, in September 2024.

Music, Art, Mind, Body

CI MED’s impact on expanding the use of music and arts in medicine is growing. Conrad recently served on a panel featuring world-renowned soprano Renée Fleming exploring the topic of Music and Mind: Arts in Health. The event, hosted by the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts at the U. of I., showcased arts-based research and innovation projects by CI MED students.

"At CI MED, we are not just following trends in integrative medicine – we are leading the conversation. By fostering interdisciplinary collaborations between musicians, engineers, and physicians, we are pushing the boundaries of what is possible in-patient care,” Conrad said. “Our work underscores the growing recognition that medicine is both an art and a science and that innovation in health care must embrace both aspects."

Tigranyan and fellow CI MED student Shreya Rangarajan co-founded a new group at CI MED that attracts medical student musicians who are interested in incorporating music-based research and innovations into their future medical practice. “By incorporating more art-based therapies into medical education, we can equip future physicians with new ways to connect with patients, foster healing, and reimagine what compassionate care looks like in the modern era,” Tigranyan said.

Editor's note:

Editor’s note: Below is a list of recent research and innovation projects undertaken by CI MED students:

• Tigranyan A, Salirrosas O, Kawano F., Tsai K., Kemprecos H., Chea, D., Cohen, M., Conrad C. “Deep Neural Networks Based Artificial Intelligence for Optimized Music Selection for Effective Stress Reduction in Postoperative Cancer Patients.” International Association for Music and Medicine and International Society for Arts and Medicine Conference. September 2024.
• Kostolansky A, Tang A, Kemprecos H, Tsai K, Singhai M, Dhore T. “AfterWards: Narrative Medicine Initiatives at Carle Illinois College of Medicine.” Music and Arts in Medicine Showcase. January 2025.
• Rangarajan S: VOCA Health
• Tang, Ashley. The Intersectionality of Art and Medicine in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Discovery Learning poster presentation, August 2024. Faculty advisor, Laura Shackelford, PhD.
• Renée Fleming's book: Music and Mind: Harnessing the Arts for Health and Wellness