Personal Views On Music Therapy Philosophies

There are many different ways that we benefit from music. Music can inspire better self-esteem, and confidence. It’s a great way to set the mood, and a wonderful tool. Music therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program (Gram, 2005). Music therapy can reach out to anyone, age, race, gender it doesn’t matter. Children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly with mental health needs can benefit from music therapy. As well as, those who have developmental and learning disabilities, those who suffer from Alzheimer's

In this research paper, the effectiveness of music therapy on the cognitive degenerative disorder of dementia will be evaluated. To support the contention that music therapy is effective in treating the symptoms of dementia, research documenting this therapy’s impact on memory, emotions, and behavior will be examined. In order to provide a greater understanding of music therapy and dementia, these terms will be defined. Second, research will be examined to determine music therapy’s impact on the psychological and behavioral issues associated with dementia. Finally, a summary of music therapy’s benefits and an evaluation of its effectiveness in treating individuals afflicted with dementia will be discussed.

The facility was large and professional. It was very clean and had hand sanitizers mounted next to almost every door. Before and after every session we were required to use these hand sanitizers. The facility was a bit difficult to navigate as it was made from many additional pieces together. None of the hospital was very inviting, it mostly appeared to be what it was, a hospital. The colors were subdued and neutral and the entire place smelled very sterile.

Therapy can consist of a vast number of interventions. Some can be as simple as the presence of music. Especially when dealing with patients experiencing bouts of mental illness. This article provides specific insight in regards to whether music throughout therapy is beneficial to those experiencing forms of dementia. According to, Sherrati, Thorton & Hatton, p. 13, (2004), “The use of the term music in this paper refers to a variety of music interventions (eg. listening to music), whereas the terms music therapy is reserved for music activities, which are carried out by A trained music therapist.” The study also measures certain variables such as the context of music, the quality of music, the individual undergoing therapy, the therapist techniques and the therapist (Sherratti, Thorton & Hatton, 2004). Research suggests that music therapy can be extremely beneficial in regards to behaviors, which promote extreme aggression, agitation and distortion (Sherratti, Thorton & Hatton, 2004).

The studies reviewed, implemented various music therapy interventions to older adult dementia patients to examine the effects associated with agitation and anxiety behaviors. Music therapy methods used throughout the twelve studies include live presentations, pre-recorded listening activities and instrumental utilization exercises. Two studies utilized a mixed method model (Ridder, 2013; Chu, 2013).

The main priority of palliative care is to improve the patient’s quality of life as end of life looms. During end-of-life care, it is important to assess different interventions that may alleviate pain and suffering. Pain medication has significant unwanted side effects for patients including, respiratory depression, decreased level of consciousness, and constipation. By utilizing other interventions for these patients, a “good death” and an enhanced quality of life can be achieved. Music therapy is a benign, non-pharmacological intervention for palliative patients; however, the findings have been inconclusive and the benefits have not been proven (Gutgsell et al., 2013). Therefore, comprehending the legitimacy of music therapy for

Music has been around for years, drastically changing throughout history. Listening to music has been something that people find peaceful, setting their mind free of any negative thoughts that may have been in their mind. If music can help people relax and feel at ease, researchers believe that music can do much more for the mind and soul. Researchers have discovered that music may have a huge on your body and mind. Many individual have begun doing their own research to see if music therapy works. These individuals that have been practicing this new way have healing have discovered incredible results, and benefits behind music therapy. Music therapy has been found to express the emotions from these individuals, helping maintain the physical, psychological, and social well-being of the patients behind music therapy. Music therapy is not always about listening, it

Music speaks. Through lyrics, harmonies, melodies, dynamics, and rhythms, music speaks. The song “You’ll Be in my Heart” written and enchantingly sung by Phil Collins always takes me back: “For one so small-/ You seem so strong-/ My arms will hold you-/ Keep you safe and warm-/ This bond between us-/ Can 't be broken-/ I will be here-/ Don 't you cry-/ 'Cause you 'll be in my heart-/ Yes, you 'll be in my heart-/ From this day on-/ Now and forever more-/ You 'll be in my heart-/ No matter what they say-/ You 'll be here-/ In my heart-/ Always-” (9-25). This incredibly beautiful song takes me back to my childhood innocence when I would listen to this soundtrack to one of my favorite Disney movies on repeat until it lulled me to sleep. Now as a young adult, the overwhelming sense of comfort, peace, and deep love still flood my soul with one of the greatest feelings I have ever felt the second the song begins to play. Music has this incredible way of making us feel so deeply. Doctors have been known to target this power of music and use it for music therapy; because this is so effective, it should be more widely spread and used far more often by individuals other that just doctors.

Music therapy was once used as an alternative choice for therapy, but as we grow in time, music therapy is being used more and more. Music therapy is used for all kinds of illnesses from brain damage to autism to stress management. As research shows, music therapy causes the release of endorphins in the brain. When someone listens to music that works to calm them or make them happier. Every day, music therapy is becoming even more popular no matter where it is practiced (the Intensive Care Units, therapy offices, youth centers, etc.). It is also becoming increasingly incorporated in the medical industry. Music therapy is a very complex system.

Whenever someone ask me about where they can get more information on Music Therapy I always recommend The Music Therapy Profession: Inspiring Heath, Wellness, and Joy by Christine Korb, an excellent introduction book to Music Therapy. In the book Korb included audition essays written by other students, all of who had this realization of when they discover that music therapy was the career was for them. For one student it happened as he played a piece on the guitar to a dying relative. One way or another all of the students have witness the amazing effect music can have on an individual's health and well being.

Music therapy is a kind of expressive treatment that utilizations music to enhance and keep up the physical, mental, and social prosperity of people. It is a form of popular healing that involves basically a lot of variety of activities such as listening to music, singing, and playing an instrument like the guitar. All of this type of therapy is run by a trained therapist. Most of which are used in the hospitals, nursing homes, and rehabilitation centers. It has shown to be very effective. Music Therapy should be used in today’s society because music helps distract patients from pain, increases athletic performance, and helps to relax the patients (“Music” 1).

In many cases it is clear that music therapy has the ability to supersede prescription drugs. These cases include: children, the elderly, those who are antidepressant-resistant, those who do not have sever depressive disorder, and those who are not fond of medication and want to try something else. In these instances, patients would be better off investing some time in music therapy rather than looking for their perfect medication. In other situations, music therapy might not be enough to damper the effects of the disorder. For these patients it would be more beneficial to look into prescription drugs, but they might also find it to be of great help to combine these two methods and receive double the effect. Music therapy does not contain a

Although music programs have had less funding year after year, nearly 40% of high school students remain enrolled in music classes. Music classes like band, chorus, orchestra, and music theory provide social, emotional, and physical outlets for these students. All students should be able to have this type of outlet. Music should be a mandatory class for all students beginning in elementary school not only because of its therapeutic benefits, but also for its sociological and creative benefits as well. Music proves to be a good teaching method for teachers in high school and middle school but especially in elementary school. Students enrolled in music education classes are generally more academically inclined than those who are not. Students

As I was thinking about my own experiences with music and how music affects all mankind, I wondered how others were affected by music. Does music really make a difference or is it just an opinion. As early as the days of Aristotle and Plato, it was believed music had healing powers. (1- AMTA) When I began researching music therapy, it was much different than what I expected but I do believe it is a career that can beneficial to all. As I continued to explore the benefits of music therapy, I found much research that supports the use of music in many different areas helping the very, very young to the very, very old.

A bullet to the left of the brain almost caused Congresswoman, Gabrielle Giffords, a permanent speech imparity. Gabrielle experienced aphasia (a language disorder that stops communication), but she participated in music therapy for healing. She learned how to think straightforwardly by matching the lyrics of the song to the rhythm and the melody. In the right side of the brain, singing abilities occur, but on the left side people can work around the injury by dropping the melody after they sing their thoughts (Harvard). Eventually, due to this music therapy process, Gabrielle recovered and got her speech ability back. Even though music is used everyday as entertainment, it can also be used as a treatment option to help people. Music therapy has been able to help people communicate and it has recovered speech and hearing imparities.