Broca's Musicaphilia

Considering the scientific literature there has been evidence of empirically documented beneficial effects of music therapy on emotional responses to patients experiencing psychological disorders as well as developmental problems. Hence listening to music has revealed its expressiveness in perception to patients diagnosed with mental disorders where it’s the same without mental illness. In addition, it appears music therapy facilitates children speech development as well as even through a short period. Power of music is universal since it can shatter down barriers of illness, injury or disability hence it constructs bridges of communication promoting a better relationship with others. Music therapists are permitted with having freedom for consideration in setting objectives for patients needing support for better physical coordination. As a part of the treatment of adolescent psychiatric, there has been a possibility of making music therapy an ultimate overall treatment for integration (Raglio et al., 2016). In this section, there will be a research of musical involvement in effectiveness to improving communication skills as well as a role in treatment programs.

Music therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by an accredited professional who as completed an approved music therapy program. “Music therapists hope that scientific research continues to define how their work differs from entertainment, and how it benefits patients as much as other more familiar complementary therapies such as art therapy.” (Mellskog) This shows how even though there is little research and evidence on music therapy, it is still very effective and a

Dementia is the loss of cognition function. This condition is rapidly becoming a huge challenge as well a leading cause of mortality and morbidity of the 21st century, especially in the western world, and the current prediction rates of dementia indicate that it will worsen. The numbers of the individuals affected by the condition is anticipated to rise due to the ever expanding older population. Despite the menace of this condition, the power of music, particularly in singing to jerk or unlock past memories and kick start the grey matter of the brain is an incredible feature of dementia care. Using music seems to reach parts of the damaged patient’s brain in unique ways that other means cannot (Geretsegger et al. (2014). In senior adults with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and other mental disorders, music therapy has shown capability of reducing agitated or aggressive behavior, improve cooperation with day-to-day activities such as bathing, improved mood, and reduce symptoms of dementia. Besides, music therapy can reduce the

This method calls for the music analyst using music fundamentals like rhythm or tune as accompaniments to aid patients to memorize oral contents. First, Simmons-Stern NR et al. compared the recognition effectiveness of sung lyrics and spoken lyrics in AD patients in 2010. It was founded that melody could improve the brain programming capacity of verbal material related with spoken (18). Moreover, Palisson J and his colleagues conducted an attention-grabbing study. They linked the verbal text mnemonic effects with three dissimilar accompaniments including spoken by Modern Times by Charlie Chaplin (movie sequence), sung by the Ode to Joy by Beethoven, or spoken alone. The data presented that sung texts were easily memorized than other two groups.

As shown in Henry’s case, music therapy has significant benefits for dementia patients, with regard to both physiological and intellectual perspectives. Following his case, the author goes on to discuss music therapy from general viewpoint. According to the American Music Therapy Association, “Music therapy is the planned and creative use of music to attain and maintain health and well being” (Mattews, 2015). This definition is open ended, which illustrates that music therapy is not only restricted for treating dementia, but also designed for variety range of population, including autism, anxiety disorder, and mental disorder patients. Furthermore, Matthews says that music has four aspects which contributed to music therapy: “communal nature of its delivery, the rhythmic quality of composition, the entrancing effect of music’s mood, and the physiological arousal accompanying listening” (Matthews, 2015). Especially, people with dementia more likely to recall the rhythm, melody of music that they used to listen when younger. Thereupon, the power of music plays meaningful role to health care setting.

This Literary review examines the theme of how musical elements and different interventions in music therapy sessions positively impact post stroke patients. Also, how music therapy helps patients achieve their short term and long-term goals in rehabilitation with an interdisciplinary team. In this literary review there are five summaries of journal articles related to the benefits of music therapy for patients with stroke and how the different approaches and areas of focus can be transferred into a young music therapist’s own approach and clinical work.

There are many people who believe that music therapy truly works when helping patients, such as Dassa Ayelet who has a PHD from Bar-llan in Israel and wrote her dissertation on the impact of singing in music therapy groups on the language abilities of Alzheimer’s patients in moderate to severe stages. She has been working as a music therapist with people with Alzheimer’s disease Alzheimer’s disease for almost 17 years. In her clinical work,

The information in the video was of a quality , the language and style of the presentation was also appropriate. According to Webb 2011, for one to establish good communication skills, one needs to consider self-awareness, pay attention for feedback and encourage response. This was demonstrated clearly in the video. Music is the most influential intercession for the delivery of information to people with dementia once the brain is damaged and they lose their verbal communication (Carson, Vanderhorst and koenig, 2016).

We have a tendency to remain contactable as musical beings on some level right up to the very end of life in dementia care. (Robertson 2010)

It relieved the stress, at least for a moment, and provided opportunity for people to come together in community to belong somewhere (Clair).” Music therapy helps to calm the autonomic nervous system, which calms breath and heart rates, and can even help with muscle relaxation. It can also be used to help “remap” a person’s brain by training the brain to control the functions that the injured part of the brain can no longer handle. The therapist will often compose music with a specific beat and tempo aimed toward specific aspects of physical rehab. According to Clair, however, in some cases music that the patient listened to in their teen/ young adult years can be the most overall effective in music therapy. Menscher then asked Clair about the use of music to help patients with Alzheimer’s. Her specific area of expertise within the use of music therapy with Alzheimer’s focuses on helping those in the late stages stay connected with their families and loved ones. Eventually the conversation led to concrete steps that a person can take to help Alzheimer’s patients. Playing music before a transitional

Studies across the United States have shown that young adults that listen to classical music have a better memory. Of those that obtained brain damage previous to the study, music repaired most, if not all, of the damage. Therefore, using music as therapy is an effective way to help heal parts of the brain. Music therapy is an effective alternative therapy option that specialized therapists used to help someone’s emotional, mental, spiritual, and physical health. For people who do not need music therapy, and listen to classical music, their brain can retain information better. For example, classical music affects how well someone can memorize spelling, poetry, and foreign words. Also, people who play an instrument or listen to classical music can learn and understand a foreign language more easily than someone who does

The research strongly suggests that the neural connections made during musical training also prime the brain for other aspects of human communication. An active engagement with musical sounds not only enhances neuroplasticity, but also enables the nervous system to provide the stable scaffolding of meaningful patterns so important to learning.

Music therapy is a relatively recent development which is becoming increasingly common as an alternative to medicine. “Music therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed who has completed an approved music therapy program” (“What”). “It involves relationships between a qualified therapist and child; between one child and another; between child and family; and between the music and the participants. These relationships are structured and adapted through the elements of music to create a positive environment and set occasion for successful growth” (“Who”). “Music Therapy can benefit children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly with mental health needs, developmental and learning disabilities. It can also help those with Alzheimer’s disease and other aging related conditions, substance abuse problems, brain injuries, physical disabilities, and acute and chronic pain, including mothers in labor” (“Who”). This is a very widespread therapy option for many people with many different

Music therapy asses’ emotional well-being, physical health, social functioning, communication abilities, and cognitive skills through musical responses. These responses can consist of easy to identify reactions, such as dancing, facial expression, head nodding, or foot tapping, to smaller responses, like eye movement. Sessions are designed for individuals and groups based on client needs using music improvisation, receptive music listening, song writing, lyric discussion, music and imagery, music performance, and learning through music. All styles of music can be useful in effecting change in a client or patient’s life. Along with all the physical benefits of music therapy, it is also easy on the pockets.

The American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) defines music therapy as an “established health profession in which music is used within a therapeutic relationship to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals”. Studies have shown that there are clear benefits from listening to or playing music, but research over the last decade proves music can be used to heal in the medical field. Dementia and other neurological disorders have no cure, only treatments to lessen the symptoms. Music therapy offers a cost effective and less invasive form of treatment that focuses on the individuals needs and goals. Music therapy is also a more creative and personalized form of treatment. This paper will provide evidence to answer the question: Are dementia and other neurological disorders improved through music therapy?