Music therapy has been a healing ritual long before recorded history. The word music derives from the muses in greek mythology. The muses were leaders of music, medicine, poetry, and the arts, some of which include, Apollo, Socrates, and Aristotle. Historical texts such as the Bible and Homers Odyssey have also referenced the therapeutic value in music therapy. “In the Bible, Sauls melancholy disappeared while David played the harp (hughes, 1984); In Homers Odyssey, the bleeding of Odysseus ceased when he heard a magic song sung to him by Autolycus (gruhn, 1967).” In ancient cultures and traditions, exorcising the healing of diseases and pain through the therapeutic value in music was a magical practice for change. It was during early eighteenth century, that the first observation study was done to assess the aftermath of music on the body. But not until the twentieth century did music therapy formally debut. During World War I, Soldiers suffering from post traumatic stress disorder used music as a medium for coping. Military hospitals began employing musicians to comfort and entertain soldiers through various musical art forms. Nurses and doctors began to notice how music was affecting these soldiers and their post traumatic stress disorder. Musicians were aware and went on to further their education to better treat these soldiers. By the 1930s, psychiatric hospitals began managing the moods of their inpatients through music appreciation and other music education
One could continue to go on and on with so many historical examples of the therapeutic use of music on the human body. But from the humble beginnings of music, the art of composing has continued to grow drastically over time. Today there is much research and data proving scientifically that music is even more recognized for its benefits and even detriment on the physiological and psychological systems of the body (Cook). Research recently, after about 250 years of separation, is once again uniting medicine, health psychology and
Therapeutic use of music is also extremely effective at reducing the everyday aches and pains that humans experience. Slow and methodical music slows the brain waves and helps the muscles in our body to relax, reducing muscle pain (Coleman). A significant amount of today’s population also experiences depression in some shape way or form and music therapy has been proven to be one of the most successful ways to help patients cope with depression. “Individual music therapy combined with standard care is extremely effective for lowering [depression] among working age people,” says Professor Christian Gold at the University of British Columbia (Paddock). “Music therapy is so effective because it allows patients to express their feelings in a safe way,” mentions Elizabeth Fawcett (MT-BC) (Peach). Hospital patients experienced consistently shorter and more pleasant stays when undergoing music therapy along with traditional treatment (Meyer).
For many centuries, music has been applied as a therapeutic tool and effected some disease treatment of methods. In 18 century, the idea of music as a therapy that showed the article in Columbian Magazine titled ” Music Physically Considered. ” In 19 century, many psychiatrist started to use the music to cure disease and even experiment it to their patients. In 20 century, especially after World War I and World War II, throughout apply the music therapy for the veterans suffering both physical and emotional injury from the war. Music extremely effective solve the variety of diseases, for example, depression, during pregnancy, and dementia. Nowadays, music therapy extends to application in hospital or school of disability children. In the end, the professional organization was established that increased the
Music therapy was explored more during World War II, music was brought to the wounded British soldiers in the hospital. This curiosity led medical professionals to observe positive changes among the patients, laying the groundwork for how music therapy came to be recognized as a profession (CreativeVibesMT 1:34-1:43). Notably, the practice of music therapy extended beyond English-speaking countries, demonstrating its universal appeal and effectiveness in diverse cultural contexts. Music therapy was spread throughout diverse cultures, using music for different purposes. The people who used music ranged from Native Americans to the people of China, and there were numerous ways and forms of how music could be utilized, from curing the sick to warding off evil (CreativeVibesMt 2:13).
It was during early eighteenth century, that the first observation study was done to assess the aftermath of music on the body. But not until the twentieth century did music therapy formally debut. During World War I, Soldiers suffering from post traumatic stress disorder used music as a medium for coping. Military hospitals began employing musicians to comfort and entertain soldiers through various musical art forms. Nurses and doctors began to notice how music was affecting these soldiers and their post traumatic stress disorder. Musicians were aware and went on to further their education to better treat these soldiers. By the 1930s, psychiatric hospitals
“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’” (Barnett & Shale, 2013, p.48). Music Therapy (MT) is shown to be able to help people with many different kinds of mental health problems such as anxiety, stress, and minor cases of depression. There have been many studies done showing that MT is an effective form of therapy that can improve someone’s overall Quality Of Life (QOL). MT is known as an alternative technique therapy. It is often used instead of, or along with, medication to produce a result in the patience who need it. MT involves all aspects of the music process, including listening to, writing, singing, and analyzing music. Overall MT addresses physical and emotional problems and is used to enhance the life and health of the patient. This review is simply to inform readers of the effects music and MT has on mental health, specifically:
Because of this musical therapy has received many positive remarks, because music heard by the human ear that can impact someone's emotional state is more powerful than any medicine.
More than 5,000 musical therapists work in hospitals, schools, rehabs, nursing homes, prisons, and at people’s homes in the United States today and more than half of them are working with the mentally ill, disabled, or the elderly(Campbell 126). As early as the 19th and early 20th centuries Americans have been using music for medicinal reasons(Campbell 121). In early 1899 James L. Corning conducted the first controlled study using music to treat his patients(Campbell 122). Using the musical styles of Wagner and other Romantic composers he concluded their styles helped reduce the morbid thoughts of the patients and
I have this theory that when it comes to music there is an unseen power which transforms. In in my life I have felt the influence of this power but it wasn't until the other day that I witnessed this power in action. It was through a procedure called Music Therapy where the method of treatment involves the patient listening to music. The element of music has a history of an intuitive connection that has psychologically been beneficial. Music therapy bands together the concept of music, mental health, psychological, and physiological benefits. With more examinations to estimate the advantages for this procedure more debate arises. Many are eager to
Centuries ago many wise men with bright grey beards and many hours in the day to sit and ponder the cosmos, Greek philosophers’, Believed in using music to help maintain homeostasis with any of their patients. Plato, Pythagoras, and Aristotle were firm believers. Pythagoras was said to have believed that,” Both the body and the soul could be influenced by music through the implementation of law and order. While Plato said “Music is always changing and re-harmonizing, just like humans as a whole and the human body, rebalancing, this is why music has a therapeutic value.” If a person was presented with an anxiety attack they were prescribed flute ballots, the smooth sound of the flute was calming enough. Patients with depression were sent to study the sounds of “dulcimer music” (a guitar like
Music therapy, a clinical use of music interventions to accomplish therapeutic goals, involves a broad range of activities including playing an instrument, singing, or listening to music. Similar to occupational and physical therapy, this expressive arts therapy remedies psychological conditions, such as depression, anxiety, or hypertension to maintain the well-being of an individual. Likewise, music has been a therapeutic tool that has shown positive effects to parts of the brain including regions involved in emotion, sensation, movement, and cognition. Although music therapy is a somewhat new-found treatment, it is used prominently today. Administered by a trained therapist, this type of therapy is used in correctional facilities, nursing homes, hospices, and special education schools.
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
Nowadays, in the society a lot of people get more stress from many situations and some people will have some health problems. Therefore, the music therapy will be created to diminish strain, express feeling, improve communication and treat people who have health problem. Music therapy is defined as “therapy based on engagement in musical activities: the therapeutic use of music (as to reduce anxiety, improve cognitive functioning, promote physical rehabilitation, or enhance interpersonal communication) that typically involves listening to music, singing, playing musical instruments, or composing music” in Merriam-webster.com. In the other words, it is the practice of using music or instrument helping people decrease pain, concern, stress. Moreover, music therapy can include singing, creating,
Needle pricks, medicine, exhaustion, sickness, pain, feeling different ‒ these are just a few of the things that people with mental disabilities and serious diseases have to go through on a daily basis. But what if there was a different kind of treatment that could comfort them or reduce their pain even a little bit? Fortunately, for the people facing these issues, there is. Music therapy is a relatively new approach that doctors, teachers, and many others are taking to help heal and improve the quality of life for their patients and students. It’s starting to become more common around the United States and is expected to become even more popular in the future. Books like Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart support the idea of music therapy by demonstrating how music can be used to soothe and improve the moods of individuals regardless of what they may be going through. Music therapy is an effective way to speed up the healing process and improve the emotional state of a wide range of people facing different obstacles in life.
A recent study of music therapy interventions was conducted on 1,891 participants. The study was offered by music therapists and medical staff.