The Benefits Of Music Therapy

Music therapy, a discipline at the crossroads of the arts and sciences, works to reveal the complex mechanisms that govern the influence of music on our psyche and physiology. Let’s discover together the benefits of music therapy, and how this rapidly expanding discipline is revolutionizing our understanding of the relationship between music, body and mind.

What is music therapy?

Music therapy is a therapeutic method using music to encourage the expression and communication of individuals, with the aim of promoting their well-being and supporting them in their therapeutic journey. This practice is based on frequencies, vibrations, tones and resonances in order to facilitate the understanding and organization of relationships and emotions. It can be used in conjunction with other therapeutic techniques to enhance their benefits.

The main principles

The assessment: is everyone receptive to the music?

Some individuals are more sensitive to music than others and the emotions felt when faced with a given music are not always the same for two different individuals. A study of 30 subjects revealed that nearly 5% of them would not be sensitive to music and would not feel any pleasure from listening to it, this is called musical anhedonia. Medical imaging studies revealed that in these individuals, the connections between regions linked to reward and those linked to sound processing were weaker than in other individuals. So not everyone is receptive to music.

Depending on the personality, conditions and goals of the individual, the music therapist can use two approaches.

• “Active” music therapy facilitates self-expression. She favors intervention techniques such as singing, instrumental or gestural improvisation, song composition and the execution of rhythmic movements to the sound of music.
• In “receptive” mode, listening to music can stimulate creative energy and help increase concentration and memory. Music can also bring out emotions, sometimes forgotten or deeply buried. The therapist will be able to use these emotions to enrich the therapeutic process, and once again bring music to bear.

The benefits of music therapy

The therapeutic applications of music therapy are numerous. But it can be difficult to know precisely how much of these effects are directly attributable to music therapy. Interventions (choice of music, duration of session, intensity, etc.) and measures vary greatly from one study to another.

In addition, the sample size of the majority of studies is often insufficient to allow truly clear conclusions to be drawn. That being said, the main therapeutic applications of music therapy having been evaluated by scientific studies deserve to be presented, here is a non-exhaustive list of the benefits of music therapy:

–Improve mood

Several studies indicate that music therapy can help improve mood in various populations. It would thus have positive effects on hospitalized patients by making the hospital stay more pleasant for them and for their family members. It would limit mood disturbances linked to autologous stem cell transplantation and help improve the mood of long-term care workers.

–Reduce anxiety

Due to its physiological effect, relaxing music can alleviate pain and anxiety by lowering cortisol levels (a hormone associated with stress) and releasing endorphins which have calming, analgesic and euphoric properties. Music therapy is recommended as an adjunct to medical care for hospitalized individuals.

In addition, clinical trials have shown the effectiveness of music therapy in reducing anxiety in palliative care, during various medical procedures (in the pre and postoperative phases), in the management of chronic low back pain and with patients suffering from respiratory problems or heart problems. However, most studies have not found long-term effects.

–Contribute to pain relief

As with anxiety, many articles have been published regarding pain relief using music therapy. It would help reduce the use of morphine and other sedatives, anxiolytics and analgesics. In addition, it would allow a reduction in the perception of pain and greater tolerance to it. Among other things, research has reported a reduction in painful symptoms associated with rheumatoid arthritis, musculoskeletal disorders and osteoarthritis. The music

The therapy has also been shown to be effective for chronic pain, back pain and headaches, as well as in palliative, post-anesthesia, intensive care and neonatal care. It has also been useful during surgery or various medical procedures.

–Improving the quality of life of people suffering from schizophrenia

Clinical trial results published in 2005 indicate that music therapy can help improve the overall condition, mental health and social functioning of people with schizophrenia. For example, the results of a clinical trial revealed a reduction in social isolation as well as an increase in interest in external events and the ability to engage with others. For the moment, most studies have found these results in the short and medium term.

–Contribute to the relief of certain symptoms of autism

Studies have reported the positive effects of music therapy on children and adolescents in the treatment of autism. Reported benefits include increased vocalizations, verbalizations, gestures, vocabulary comprehension, task-related attention, communication acts, symbolic play, and self-care skills, as well as increased reduction of echolalia (automatic repetition of sentences as we hear them). Researchers also observed an improvement in body awareness and coordination, and a reduction in anxiety.

–Improve sleep

The calming effects of soft music – instrumental or sung, recorded or live – have were of observation at all ages of life. According to the results of clinical studies carried out with elderly people, music therapy could make it easier to fall asleep, reduce the number of awakenings, improve the quality of sleep and increase its duration as well as its effectiveness.

–Contribute to child development and improved neonatal care

The results of a meta-analysis in premature children highlight that this approach can help calm the infant. It can also stimulate language development, increase weight gain and tolerance to stimulation, reduce stress and the duration of hospitalization.

–Help relieve symptoms related to dementia

Most clinical trials carried out on the effect of music on individuals suffering from dementia report positive effects. An improvement in social skills and emotional state, as well as a reduction in behavioral problems ( agitation, aggression, wandering, etc.). It also seems that this type of approach would reduce the use of physical and pharmacological interventions.

–Improving coordination in people with Parkinson’s disease

Music therapy, used alone or with physical therapy, can help increase motor coordination in people with Parkinson’s disease. The observation of improvements in walking speed, walking distance and cadence, general slowness and precision of movements. In addition, certain benefits relating to emotional functions, language and quality of life were also documented.

In addition, other studies have shown that music therapy can improve physical and cognitive activity. It can also relieve certain symptoms of depression, cope with bereavement, or even facilitate childbirth for women at high risk.

For more mindfulness tips, click here.

I hope you enjoyed this overview of the benefits of music therapy and found it useful. Comment down below what you think of this therapy. Or share with us your experience if you have already tried it.

Looking forward to reading your comments, sending you love and positive energy!!!