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Beth Israel Uses Harp Music To Help Patients, Family, Staff

BOSTON (CBS) - No one would argue harp music is soothing.

Now studies are showing it can also be good medicine.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Mark Katic reports 

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Walk into the Shapiro Clinical Center at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and the music gently surrounds you.

Nancy Kleiman plays her harp in the upstairs lobby.

"The harp harmonizes and radiates peace," Kleiman told WBZ NewsRadio 1030. "The harp is taking the clinical out and allowing people to draw from that peace."

Kleiman also plays for patients, from women giving birth to patients in their final moments, surrounded by family.

A University of Arizona study of ICU patients showed live harp music helped to stabilize blood pressure and decrease pain and anxiety.

Nurse manager Barbara DiTullio says they even have Kleiman play for staff in the trauma ward, where stress can get overwhelming.

Kleiman says there's nothing clinical about what she does, she only knows it brings joy and helps patients and families to heal.

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