There is a growing body of literature, which recognizes the utilization of music therapy as an effective and respected treatment option. It is a well-acknowledged scientific fact that expressive music activities like singing or playing instruments improve coping mechanisms and self-confidence. For the terminally ill, music provides greatest solace. Besides a comforting environment, it is found to be of great help in pain management. A combination of touch therapy, imagery and music provides an environment for a peaceful passage. Thus, music therapy has established itself as a dependable health care system using music and music activities. It is increasingly being accepted as a complementary healing system, especially in the advanced countries, where the cost of medical cover has gone beyond the reach of the common man. In combination with other healing methods such as acupuncture, anaesthesia, medication, surgery, yoga etc. music is found to be greatly efficacious. Regardless of differences due to age, disability or musical upbringing, it has proved one and all.
Soothing and organizational properties of music helps the mentally handicapped. Limitless creative opportunities available in singing or playing instruments provide avenues for their self-expression, which is otherwise unavailable to them.
Music exercises aid in organizing one’s thought processes and help in overcoming one’s inhibitions and restrictions. The creative process of music takes over one’s mind and emotion and leads to the feeling of wholeness and completeness with the Universe in all levels of existence: physical, moral or intellectual. It helps in overcoming all forms of inadequacies or frustrations in life.
Music as a therapy is not exclusive for just a disease; it is meant for all patient groups. From the terminally ill to the temporary sufferer, it suits everybody as it involves no side effects. Alzheimer patients, chronic pain sufferers, premature infants, terminal patients etc. all respond to the healing power of music. Symptoms of anxiety, depression and pain in the terminally ill are overcome by the healing power of music.
Thanks to music, multiple handicap patients gain a variety of skills. It provides a solid foundation for learning various things; skills including speech, language, self-care and adaptation.
In long term care settings, music is used to exercise a variety of skills. Cognitive games help with long term and short-term memory recall. Music combined with movement such as gym and aerobic sessions can improve physical capabilities. Music itself and in combination with other media such as aroma or dance offer unlimited scope for experience for the sensory-deprived which is often caused by coma, injury or degenerative diseases.
Depression
Depression is related to a depletion of dopamine or serotonin, the feel good chemicals (neurotransmitters) which create a sense of sunshine and happiness. It is a lowered energy state where neurological responses become sluggish. Life force of a depressed person is low if not diminished. Music therapy can address this common ailment in modern society by addressing the ear and brain with therapeutic doses of high frequency sounds. These are high energy vibrations. capable of lifting and rejuvenating the listeners. It is quite probable that the procedure stimulates the brain, by helping the production of certain neurotransmitters creating positive emotional states. It is common that the listeners do report greater states of happiness, and an end to depressed feelings as and when they are flooded with such positive sound vibrations.
The stimulation of the left brain is said to help in removal of depression. Research on the effects of meditation has also indicated that prolonged practice of meditation stimulates certain centres in the left brain.
In research specifically on Tomatis Sound Therapy, a long term study over 14 months ( Du Plesis , 1.982) with subjects carefully selected from a survey of 424 people showed improved mental health and self-actualization for both 10 anxious and 10 non-anxious people as compared to a control group.
Epilepsy
In epilepsy, a person encounters intermittent paroxysmal attacks of dis-ordered brain function. This results in a loss of consciousness and at times convulsions too. While in some cases epilepsy could be controlled by drugs. There are tremendous side-effects in such treatment. Music can help to a certain extent here as it is known to stimulate the brain in a certain manner.
No overnight cure but, the patients of epilepsy are reported to have overcome their problems gradually with a regular dose of stimulating sound of music. This genre of music has a heavy rhythmic content with tones and melodies that cheer up and activate to the core.
Stroke or brain damage
At times injury could cause a stroke or brain damage. In such an event, music could help in recovery to varying degrees. The sooner music is introduced after the injury or stroke, the greater is the chance of recovery.
Music is supposed to help in creating alternative brain pathways, especially when brain cells and tissues are damaged due to injuries or old age. The complex, multi-layered harmonic and melodic information as in fugues and counterpoints in Western classical symphonies are found to stimulate simultaneously several parts of the brain, facilitating forming of a pattern conducive for such recovery.
Schizophrenia
Irregular levels of dopamine in the brain is reported to be the cause for schizophrenia. While dopamine secreted in excess may cause hallucinations and paranoia, when in depletion, it causes depression and the negative symptoms of schizophrenia. Music therapy may help in regulating the production of dopamine and other neurotransmitters, which would account in part for its positive effect in all mood related disorders. Though no controlled scientific studies are forthcoming, individual reports do confirm the positive impact of music here. Emotion-soaked Indian raga music can be of use here.
Dementia
Dementia is the loss of memory. Loss of attention and cognitive ability due to progressive brain damage or deterioration also comes under this category. This is often due to aging, though at times various factors such a series of small strokes, Alzheimer’s, a degenerative condition of brain cells and tissue could also cause this. In addition to taking steps for preventing dementia (such as improved nutrition, reduced chemical toxins and vitamin and mineral supplementation) music can also be used as a complementary therapy. Aging people find solace and comfort in music extending to them a sense of inner calm and better mental balance. In early stages of dementia music could help overcome this dreadful disease.
Many caregivers have noticed the effect of simple tunes and rhythms as the patients become noticeably more cheerful with the arrival of music in their mindscape.
This was published in AYURVEDA AND ALL NOVEMBER 2008, pages 37 to 40
Edited by Geeta shreedar, July 19, 2021