Have you ever been going about your daily business, when all of a sudden you hear a song that takes you right back to a significant time in your life? Perhaps the music leaves you feeling calmer. Or happy. Or, let’s face it, downright sad. I am sure all of us can attest to the power of music.
Did you know, however, that music therapy is in itself an evidence-based therapy? Keep reading to learn more about the profession of music therapy.
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What is Music Therapy and How Does It Work?
Bruscia (1991) defined music therapy as ‘an interpersonal process in which the therapist uses music and all of its facets to help patients to improve, restore or maintain health’ (Maratos, Gold, Wang & Crawford, 2008).
A little later, in 1998, Bruscia suggested another alternative definition of music therapy as ‘a systematic process of intervention wherein the therapist helps the client to promote health, using musical experiences and the relationships that develop through them as dynamic forces of change’ (Geretsegger, Elefant, Mössler & Gold, 2014).
Does music therapy simply consist of music used therapeutically? As Bruscia’s definitions demonstrate, music therapy is much more complex. It shouldn’t be confused with ‘music medicine’ – which is music interventions delivered by medical or healthcare professionals (Bradt & Dileo, 2010).
Music therapy, on the other hand, is administered by trained music therapists (Bradt & Dileo, 2010).
How does music therapy work? Well, it is claimed that five factors contribute to the effects of music therapy (Koelsch, 2009).
Modulation of Attention
The first aspect is the modulation of attention (Koelsch, 2009). Music grabs our attention and distracts us from stimuli that may lead to negative experiences (such as worry, pain, anxiety and so on) (Koelsch, 2009). This may also explain the anxiety and pain-reducing effects of listening to music during medical procedures (Koelsch, 2009).
Modulation of Emotion
The second way music therapy work is through modulation of emotion (Koelsch, 2009). Studies have shown that music can regulate the activity of brain regions that are involved in the initiation, generation, maintenance, termination, and modulation of emotions (Koelsch, 2009). Some natural supplements can help with anxiety disorders, check the latest Meticore reviews.
Modulation of Cognition
Music also modulates cognition (Koelsch, 2009). Music is related to memory processes (including the encoding, storage, and decoding of musical information and events related to musical experiences) (Koelsch, 2009). It is also involved in the analysis of musical syntax and musical meaning (Koelsch, 2009).
