Music therapy: The healing of the mind

Music has recently been under the spotlight for various therapeutic uses, be it in hospitals or nursing homes. It is shown to be able to activate various physiological responses in the body, that allow faster healing and improved emotions. This post provides insight into what music therapy is, and how we can harness it to allow optimal effects.

What is it?

It is a branch of healthcare that helps patients improve and maintain their health via using music. It is regarded as a form of expressive therapy, which involves the use of creative therapy to help explore and transform difficult emotional and medical conditions. According to Pythagoras, musical vibrations brought about healing in the body and classical literature is full of anecdotes mentioning the healing and medicinal capabilities of music.

Music therapy is frequently used to help people improve health in terms of the following domains:

• Cognitive function

• Motor skills

• Emotional development

• Social skills

• Quality of life

Improvements in health are usually achieved via:

• Free improvisation

• Singing

• Listening to

• Discussing

• Moving to music

Qualitative and quantitative research has been done, incorporating various components related to music therapy. Various studies have shown improved heart rate, reduced anxiety, brain stimulation, and improved learning. It is used commonly before and after surgeries, as well as in the treatment of mental disabilities. It can also be a form of complementary treatment in other diseases to help optimize existing treatments.

Music therapy is largely built on current psychological theories as well as clinical experience.

It is currently most commonly used with children, especially those with developmental difficulties.

Forms of therapy:

Therapy is mainly done in two different forms, active and passive. The method used is usually determined by the therapist unless the patient specifically requests for a certain type.

During active music therapy, both the therapist and the patient actively participate in creating music with instruments, voices, or other objects, helping the patient to be creative and expressive through music.

In passive music therapy or receptive therapy, it is done in a more relaxed setting where the therapist plays or makes music to the patient who is free to draw, listen or meditate.

Approaches to music therapy:

Music therapy has shown to be successful with children in terms of establishing means of communication and relationship with autistic children. Instrumental and songbooks for children were developed. Music therapists today also have to be trained both in music and therapy, adding to the professionalism and the reliability of music therapy. Approaches to using music therapy have been developed by various groups of researchers, and I will be mentioning a few of them in this blog post.

The first approach I will focus on is Orff’s music therapy, which is used with children with developmental problems, delays, and disabilities. It was formulated after World War II, when scientists and clinicians found out that medicine alone is insufficient in meeting the complex needs of developmentally disabled children.

The next approach is the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery in Music. This approach includes a technique that uses mental imagery to help with the physiological and psychological ailments of patients. The practitioner would usually suggest a relaxing and focusing image. Through imagination and discussion, the practitioner will help find constructive solutions to manage problems. Music, in this case, is used to guide the patient to a higher state of consciousness where healing and constructive self-awareness can take place. The choice of music is based on the patients’ musical preferences and the goal of the session. The attention span of the patient is also taken into account. The use of this approach has been shown to decrease stereotypical behaviors and hyperactivity in autistic children. It has also been able to increase attention and the ability to follow instructions, as well as increase self-initiated communication.

Assessment and interventions:

To check if a patient is indicated for music therapy, a music therapy assessment is done. Below are some of the more common forms of assessment:

1. Interviews with the patients and/or family members

2. Structured or unstructured observation

3. Reviewing of records

4. Standardized assessment tests

Based on the assessment, the therapist formulates a music therapy treatment plan, which includes short-term and long-term goals as well as the expected timeline.

There are two main forms of interventions:

1. Supportive active therapy: includes rhythm activities such as body percussion, singing songs (reinforce non-music skills, awareness, and expression)

2. Insight music therapy: includes song-writing, active listening and reacting, or auditory discrimination activities for sensory skill development.
   

Other uses:

Do note that in most of these cases, music therapy is only used to supplement the usual forms of therapy, and should not be used to replace the normal forms of therapy.

1. Pregnancy: In pregnancy, music therapy can be used for prenatal stress relief, as stress experienced by the pregnant woman can negatively affect the baby. It is also useful for bonding between the mother and the child. Music therapy can help to develop the fetus’ nervous system both structurally and functionally. Communication is enhanced by allowing the fetus to listen to the mother’s singing. Electronic voice phenomena studies have shown that the father’s voice engages the fetus from feet to the abdomen which helps the baby start walking at a younger age while the mother’s voice engages the fetus from waist to head which strengthens the baby’s neck and upper limbs. During pregnancy, music therapy can also allow for prenatal language development. It does so by preparing the auditory sensory system to listen, combine and produce language sounds. The fetus learns through the voice of the mother, not only from speech but also from songs.
   

2. Premature infants: For premature infants, music therapy is useful in stimulating growth and development in premature infants. Live or recorded music has been effective in promoting respiratory regulatory and oxygen saturation levels, as well as decreasing signs of neonatal distress. The music is often performed in a gentle and controlled environment. Music therapy has also shown to be useful in promoting healthy sucking reflexes and reducing pain perception for the infant. By improving sucking patterns, babies will then be able to better coordinate the dual mechanism of breathing, sucking, and swallowing needed to feed, promoting growth and weight gain.

Of course, there are many other ailments in which music therapy can play a role in. However, as they are not as well-researched, I will only be listing the other uses briefly. They include in-child rehabilitation, autism, stutters in children, mood disorders, heart diseases, neurological disorders, stroke, dementia, amnesia, aphasia (difficulty swallowing), schizophrenia, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Do check with your medical practitioner if you or your child is suitable for music therapy before starting on it!

Resources:

Center, E. I., Center, C. R., & Center, P. F. (2014). Music therapy. (Accessible here)

Maratos, A., Gold, C., Wang, X., & Crawford, M. (2008). Music therapy for depression. Cochrane database of systematic reviews, (1). (Accessible here)

Koelsch, S. (2009). A neuroscientific perspective on music therapy. Ann. NY Acad. Sci., 1169, 374-384. (Accessible here)