By Tavishee Banerjee,
When one hears the word "therapy" one probably visualises someone reclined on a couch,
venting about their problems to a therapist who comforts them through words. However,
there are non-traditional forms of therapy that are equally important, such as music
therapy. Music has been employed as a therapeutic measure for centuries and has been
proven to affect areas of the brain involved in movement, emotion, sensation, and cognition.
Consequently, the engaging nature and diversity of music forms make it uniquely effective in
the treatment of a broad spectrum of physical and mental problems.
Music therapy can assist many individuals as its diverse nature means it can be applied in the
treatment of both physical and psychological issues. In several instances, music's therapeutic
use has been able to help people in ways that other forms of standard therapy have not. When
people have a difficult time while expressing themselves verbally, they engage more in music
therapy than in a more traditional way of treatment.
Additionally, there is an endless number of positive and healing benefits of music therapy. It
can assess and enhance cognitive, social, emotional, and motor functioning and studies (like
the ones conducted at the American Music Therapy Association) have demonstrated positive
results among those who suffer from intellectual or physical difficulties, and brain injuries.
Music therapy is also employed in the treatment of cancer and hypertension, among other
physical ailments.
Furthermore, this treatment sounds like an extremely propitious method of healing. But how
does music therapy affect the brain, and produce these positive results? Rehabilitative
approaches use the concept of musical stimuli and engage the different senses positively.
Likewise, due to the probable side effects of pharmacological treatment of depressive
disorders and their symptoms, music therapy serves as an extremely beneficial method in
reducing those symptoms and improving mood. Each individual responds to music therapy
differently based on their unique challenges, needs, and abilities. Hence, the results of music
therapy are directly linked to multiple factors, such as the time spent in treatment, consistency
and follow-through between sessions, and frequency of sessions.
Given the fact that music is an extremely diverse method of healing, therapists naturally
utilise music in a variety of ways:
● When a person finds it difficult to communicate after experiencing a stroke, singing
words or phrases and creating a simple melody may enhance speech production and
fluency.
● A person with poor motor skills may improve fine motor skills by playing simple
melodies on a piano or even tapping out a rhythm. Listening to a rhythmic stimulus
can also help a person concentrate, coordinate, and time their movements.
● Children with autism listen to a piece of music played by the therapist. They are then
asked to imagine the emotional state of the person who created the music or the
person playing it. This aids people with autism develop and strengthen the ability to
understand a broader range of emotions, each unique to each individual.
Moreover, the positive effects of music therapy are not limited to those coping with severe or
long-lasting physical and psychological problems and benefit people in a variety of areas.
Music is frequently used to reduce stress levels and has been associated with improvements
in self-esteem, group cohesion, and coping skills. Additionally, social and emotional benefits
include decreased social anxiety and increased social awareness. Furthermore, one who
practises music therapy experiences increased use of nonverbal communication, including
sign language, picture communication, and gestures. Finally, the cognitive effects are
improved attention span, improved memory, and increased ability to make decisions.
However, it is vital to understand the cons alongside the numerous pros. A downside to using
music for therapy is its capacity or tendency to spike up anxiety levels. Since music is not a
one-size-fits-all experience, the genre or tempo of the music used for treatment can be
interpreted by individuals very differently. Consequently, hearing that song, artist or genre
can induce negative responses physiologically and emotionally. Therapists analyse these
negative responses as anxiety.
In conclusion, music-based activities can represent a valid intervention for reducing
psychological and behavioural disturbances related to neurological disorders. It also promotes
functional recovery. Also, music interventions on the psychological side can be associated
with mood, especially in the reduction of depression and anxiety, and in the improvement of
emotional expression, communication and interpersonal skills.
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