Music Therapy
Who does not like to relax. After a days hectic work anyone would like to have a cup of tea / coffee, watch television & relax. But almost all would believe that listening to music of your choice is one of the best ways to relax. What would be a better way to relax than to hear a light, soothing music. Its a well known fact & everybody would agree that it is really relaxing to hear some good soothing music, whether classical or any other music of choice.
When normal individuals feel relaxed on hearing good, meaningful music then what effect would music produce on patients?????
Music therapy uses music to promote positive changes for the wellbeing of the individual. The well being would be in the form of positivity in the form of physical, social and interpersonal development or emotional, spiritual or cognitive wellbeing.
The benefits of music therapy have been known since ancient times. Its use has been done in the world wars were music was used in the hospitals as a method of rehabilitation for soldiers who would suffer from lot of mental (esp. emotional) & physical trauma.
University of Kansas was the first university in the United States to offer a degree program in music therapy in 1944.
We all know that music therapy has a relaxing effect on an individual. Music is universal which shows no boundary, no caste, creed or religion and no language barrier. A good music evokes a positive response in the listener.
It brings about positive physiological changes in the body. It reduces stress thereby reducing blood pressure, improved respiration, decrease in heart rate, improved cardiac function & reduced tension in the muscles.
Music improves verbal as well as non - verbal communication and promotes social interaction. It is also known to reduce pain as it would sometimes distract an individual from the pain stimulus and thus reduces stress.
There are different ways in which music therapy affects our body. Research has shown that music with strong beat can stimulate brain waves to resonate in sync with the beat, with faster beats bringing sharper concentration & more alert thinking, a slower tempo, promoting a calm, meditative state. Music can bring lasting benefits to one's mind, even when one stops listening to music.
Music induces a positive state of mind helping to reduce or even prevent depression and anxiety.
Music therapists mostly work with people who has behavioral - emotional disorders. To meet the needs of such people, music therapists have taken certain psychological therapies & used them as a part of different music therapies. Different models including behavioral therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy & psycho dynamic therapy.
Another therapy model is based on Neuroscience is called Neurological Music Therapy (NMT). It is based on neuroscience model of music perception & production & the influence of music on functional changes in nonmusical brain & behaviour functions. NMT studies shows how the brain is with music, without music, measures the differences, uses these differences to cause changes in the brain through music that will eventually effect the patient non musically.
Music therapy was practiced in USA since 1944, when the first undergraduate degree course started at Michigan State University & first postgraduate degree in University of Kansas.
Music therapy is used as an alternative treatment modality in many medical conditions. It is also used in conjuncture with first line therapies. Conditions in which music therapy is used are,
When normal individuals feel relaxed on hearing good, meaningful music then what effect would music produce on patients?????
Music therapy uses music to promote positive changes for the wellbeing of the individual. The well being would be in the form of positivity in the form of physical, social and interpersonal development or emotional, spiritual or cognitive wellbeing.
The benefits of music therapy have been known since ancient times. Its use has been done in the world wars were music was used in the hospitals as a method of rehabilitation for soldiers who would suffer from lot of mental (esp. emotional) & physical trauma.
University of Kansas was the first university in the United States to offer a degree program in music therapy in 1944.
We all know that music therapy has a relaxing effect on an individual. Music is universal which shows no boundary, no caste, creed or religion and no language barrier. A good music evokes a positive response in the listener.
It brings about positive physiological changes in the body. It reduces stress thereby reducing blood pressure, improved respiration, decrease in heart rate, improved cardiac function & reduced tension in the muscles.
Music improves verbal as well as non - verbal communication and promotes social interaction. It is also known to reduce pain as it would sometimes distract an individual from the pain stimulus and thus reduces stress.
There are different ways in which music therapy affects our body. Research has shown that music with strong beat can stimulate brain waves to resonate in sync with the beat, with faster beats bringing sharper concentration & more alert thinking, a slower tempo, promoting a calm, meditative state. Music can bring lasting benefits to one's mind, even when one stops listening to music.
Music induces a positive state of mind helping to reduce or even prevent depression and anxiety.
Music therapists mostly work with people who has behavioral - emotional disorders. To meet the needs of such people, music therapists have taken certain psychological therapies & used them as a part of different music therapies. Different models including behavioral therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy & psycho dynamic therapy.
Another therapy model is based on Neuroscience is called Neurological Music Therapy (NMT). It is based on neuroscience model of music perception & production & the influence of music on functional changes in nonmusical brain & behaviour functions. NMT studies shows how the brain is with music, without music, measures the differences, uses these differences to cause changes in the brain through music that will eventually effect the patient non musically.
Music therapy was practiced in USA since 1944, when the first undergraduate degree course started at Michigan State University & first postgraduate degree in University of Kansas.
Music therapy is used as an alternative treatment modality in many medical conditions. It is also used in conjuncture with first line therapies. Conditions in which music therapy is used are,
- Pregnancy:- Certain types of musics are made specially for pregnancy. They make the lady calm, and is known to inculcate good culture in the foetus, i.e. from the time the baby is in the mothers womb. Thus music is known to have beneficial effects in pregnancy.
- Music therapy is also given to post surgery patients for a better & faster healing of surgical wounds & faster recovery.
- Stroke: - Current research shows that when music therapy is used along with traditional treatment, the recovery becames faster. Research by Nayak et. el showed that music affects emotions & social interactions. It decreases depression, improves mood & there is reduction in the state of anxiety. The patient is more aware of his environment, expresses feelings, is aware & responsive & has positive associations. When given along with exercise therapy, the response to exercise increases. It also heps to improve motor skills in patients affected with stroke. There is a therapy called as Melodic Itonation Therapy (MTI). This therapy was used in a singer with severe Brocas aphasia. Phrases taught through MTI were more superior as compared to rehersed & nonrehersed phrases.
- Heart diseases: - It reduces the heart rate, blood pressure & improves respiration.
- Epilepsy: - Research suggests that listening to Mozart's Piano Sonata K488 can reduce the no of seziures in patients with epilepsy. This has been called "Mozart Effect".
- Cancer Therapy: - Music therapy is also used in conjuncture with the traditional chemotherapy. It has known to improve quality of life, reduce stress, and also reduce pain.
Music therapy is thus used & can be used in various diseases. Thus Music therapy is a useful adjunct to traditional treatment modalities in many medical conditions.
Comments
I am impressed by this article. The music therapy is undoubtedly, a harmless intervention that will have more appeal if supported by well planned scientific research.