Music Therapy: Healing with Music Is Both Art and Science

"Including music therapy is no luxury, it's essential. Nothing is more expensive than having patients disorganized, agitated, in need of total care, restrained, and medicated. In strictly economic terms, music therapy programs would be cheap in terms of what they can achieve compared to the alternative of heavy medicine and heavy nursing."—Dr. Oliver Sacks, Neurologist
 
Music therapy is an established healthcare profession that uses music to address cognitive, emotional, physical, and social needs for individuals of all ages. Music therapy differs from other music activities in that the therapist selects interventions that will influence functioning in a desired way to meet treatment goals.
 
The human ability and need to respond to music seems to be innate and does not depend on musical ability or training. Music has a unique power among the therapeutic media to engage and sustain the attention of patients and, in the hands of a trained therapist, accomplish a variety of therapeutic goals and objectives. As part of our lives, music is a powerful, unifying force that harmonizes people across lines of geography, language and culture. Music entertains, uplifts, opens the mind and awakens the senses to the complexity of human experiences. 
 
Music therapists draw from an extensive array of music exercises, strategies and interventions, including the following:

• Envisioning imagery
• Feeling vibro-tactile sensations
• Lyric analysis
• Listening to live or recorded music
• Moving to music
• Playing "non-musician-proof" instruments
• Singing and chanting
• Toning, vocalizing and holding vowels
• Writing lyrics for original pieces of music

 Research proves that music therapy interventions can achieve all of the following: 

• Alleviate pain
• Enhance memory
• Express feelings
• Improve communication
• Manage stress
• Promote physical rehabilitation
• Promote wellness, influence heart rate, respiration and strengthen immune function

Music therapy may allow for:

• Increased perception of control
• Positive changes in mood and emotional states
• Quicker recovery post-surgery
• Relaxation for the entire family
• Meaningful time spent together in a positive, creative way
• Emotional intimacy with families and caregivers

In addition to bedside work, music therapy can be used in a variety of group settings.  Four examples are given below:
 
Cardiac and Pulmonary Group—Music therapists address respiratory and cardiac health through deep breathing, relaxation techniques, singing, humming, toning, and playing the harmonica to encourage breath endurance. 
 
Parkinson's/Stroke Programs—Music therapists co-treat with physical and occupational therapists to provide structure and motivation for exercise. Pre-gait exercises, gait training, neurologic music therapy techniques, and other physical rehabilitation tools are provided to clients.
 
Substance Abuse/Eating Disorders Groups—Sessions for these groups utilize music therapy interventions to build group cohesion, teach alternative coping and relaxation methods, and practice self-reflection, awareness, and physical/emotional release.   
 
Cancer Support Groups—In these support groups, which are typically offered to patients diagnosed with cancer, family members of a cancer patient, and cancer survivors and their families, music therapy interventions are presented for both informational and experiential benefits.
 
Music therapists complete a baccalaureate and/or graduate program in music therapy, which includes courses in music, psychology, biology, and behavioral sciences.  Additionally, therapists complete a six-month clinical internship. Finally, after successfully passing the national board certification exam, music therapists earn the credentials, MT–BC, Music Therapist, Board Certified.
 
Contact information: 
Barbara Reuer, PhD, NMT, MT–BC
MusicWorx of California
 
CSA Spirit is a bi-monthly electronic newsletter transmitted by the Center for Spirituality and Aging (CSA), headquartered in Southern California. CSA provides education and advocacy and promotes research on spirituality as experienced in the aging process, within both faith and healthcare communities. CSA is a program of California Lutheran Homes and Community Services, whose mission it is to transform the way long-term care communities and faith communities meet the needs of older adults, based on the understanding that aging is a spiritual journey.