What is music therapy? The Ultimate Guide
The sounds of music have a profound effect on the spirits of the personality and the development of human emotions due to their emotional and emotional burden, and play a major role in treatment in a number of branches of alternative medicine such as acupuncture, homeopathy and Ayurveda. Today, due to the scientific and methodical approach to music in the treatment of diseases, music therapy is considered as an independent discipline and is defined as a complementary method for common medical therapies, which means the prescribed use of musical stimuli or its activities for Reducing disability and illness and changing maladaptive states through rehabilitation, cessation and treatment of symptoms, which is done under the supervision of trained personnel.
In this field, music as a tool and music therapist as a specialist in some diseases create conditions (according to the severity of the disease) that can put the patient in a positive upward trend to reduce stress and promote health. And these conditions may vary according to the sex and age of the patient and the severity of the disease in different diseases. Various and authoritative researches have been done on the function of music in medicine, some of which are based on symptoms such as heart rate, blood pressure, various pains, respiration, skin reactions, adrenaline hormones, prolactin, cortisol, brain waves, catecholamines, Steroids, electromyography, drug side effects, duration of drug use, length of hospital stay, and many more have been the focus. In general, the therapeutic goals of this musical research can be summarized in eight main areas.
1. Prevention, education and learning
2. Reduction of various medical and dental pains
3. Reducing stresses and worries caused by surgery for injuries and diseases
4. Rehabilitation after injuries and accidents
5. Reduction of fatigue caused by muscle tension (muscle cramps) and muscle function
6. Reducing the side effects of drugs
7. Reduce the duration of drug use
8. Reducing the duration of treatment and hospitalization
In addition to the mentioned therapeutic effects, music can be effective in promoting some behavioral factors in healthy people. For example, in industry, music showers are used to increase production efficiency and employees' peace of mind. The effects of different types of music on the processes of learning memory, accuracy, sensory perception, motor nervous system and… are examples of this category. Research on sensory interaction reveals the psychological effects of some musical notes and steps with different colors. For example, psychiatrists have attributed red to the dimor step and bluish green to the lamajor step. Music is also widely used in cognition and helping to solve behavioral problems, and these behavioral changes are especially important in adulthood and childhood. The reason for this influence is that art in general and here music is used as a means of psychological evacuation due to its emotional load, and children who suffer from stress and stress by projecting pressures and emotions through Music achieves the desired level of excitement and calm. Except in cases where the child's problem has a physical or organic root, the effect of music on the child's behavior is more successful than other methods, including medication, and is more effective than any other method in modifying the child's behavior, although in the case of defects. Organic should not be overlooked. The most important communicative feature of music is its non-verbal aspect, which can be of fundamental importance in therapy. Music is a valuable medium for reconnecting with reality about people who are cut off from reality and society (schizophrenic patients). Music is a powerful emotional stimulus and a multi-sensory experience: auditory stimulation through the sounds that are heard, tactile stimulation through vibrations that can be felt, and visual stimulation through its live performance. For example, success in musical activities can enhance one's sense of self-worth.
In addition, music can be used as a transmitter of information, a transmitter of amplifiers, and a context for learning and reflecting skills.
:: Necessary skills
The scientific study of any phenomenon in the world depends on recognizing the components of the constituent elements and the necessary and balanced relations between them, as well as examining the location of each component and the relationship between their relations and tasks with each other. In the field of music therapy, which has two aspects of music and medicine, having comprehensive information to understand and receive music, music psychology, music theory, music history, as well as accurate knowledge of various physical and mental aspects of human from the perspective of physiology (correct body function) And pathology is necessary for the "music-therapist". Interest and enthusiasm for a job and acceptance of professional responsibility, commitment to this field of medical rights seekers and having a research spirit are important characteristics of a "music therapist". Therefore, he should consider advanced technical and interpretive skills as the minimum in a musical instrument and be fully skilled in developing and expanding relationships between people through musical activities. On the other hand, because the root and basis of all psychological discussions are related to the brain and nerves, and due to the fact that the process of understanding music takes place in the human brain, the need for a neurological discussion about music becomes more obvious. Music can greatly affect many human organs and organs in terms of sensory perceptions and practical functions by creating stimuli in different parts of the nervous system and cause the dynamics of the human body and mind in a state of health and disease.
:: Techniques and methods of music therapy
1. Listening to music passively: In this method, most patients listen to their favorite music and in some cases can use the target They are allowed to use the van and control the recording sound and manipulate the tape. Reducing the pain of anxiety and stress caused by the disease and less use of anesthetic drugs or reducing the side effects of drugs and finally shortening the duration of drug use and hospitalization are the main goals of treatment in this method. Choosing the patient's favorite music based on his experiences, moods, temperament and mood will usually be accompanied by evoking memories that have already been experienced and the stimulation of these memories itself causes emotional stimulation at the level of conscious and unconscious nervous and cerebral systems. And it will have various consequences that must be pursued and controlled by a specialist in the field - the "music therapist" - until the final goal is achieved.
2. Active cooperation in musical activities: In this method, patients perform appropriate rhythmic exercises for muscular and respiratory coordination and use music for body movements, reading and playing. For example, wind instruments are used to increase lung capacity. In this method, the rhythm and style of music appropriate to the needs of patients is used. For example, stimulating music such as disco is used for strong movements and soft music such as waltz is used for smooth and fluid movements, and in other cases it is recommended to practice focusing on the elements and components of music by listening. The main goals of treatment obtained from this method are: reduction of pain associated with rhythmic movements, increase of motor abilities, increase of strength and duration of movement in muscle failures, increase of respiratory capacity and numerous other examples.
3. Music and counseling: In this method, music is used to discuss and recall patients' memories in order to increase positive conversation and close relationship with each other. Encouraging more patients to start conversations and musical discussions and talking about anything but illness increases patients' tolerance and adaptation to hospital conditions. The main purpose of this method is to reduce stress, worries, fears caused by disease and surgery, and to increase interpersonal communication and create calm and hope in patients.
4. Music and growth: In this method, music is mainly used as a reinforcing stimulus, and with it, various people, especially children, are encouraged to do musical exercises, which reinforce specific self-help and learning behaviors. The main purpose of this method is to increase patients' learning and rehabilitation and prevent growth retardation.
5. Music and stimuli: In this method, music is used to strengthen the senses of sight, touch and hearing and is often accompanied by pleasant activities and provides auditory and tactile stimuli. In some cases, in this method, the display has been used to guide the image and imagination of patients. This method, while being effective in treating patients with sensory and motor deficits, has a significant effect on reducing depression and anxiety in people with disabilities.
6. Music and biological feedback: In this method, music is used to enhance physiological responses and music is accompanied by patients' biological feedback and increase the desired responses in them and thus reduce physiological discomfort. For example, music has been used in conjunction with deep rhythmic breathing or structural tubular movements to reduce blood pressure, muscle tension, epileptic seizures, and migraine pain.
7. Music and group activities: In this method, patients participate in group music activities such as listening, singing and playing, and the positive relationship between people and the feeling of recovery increases, and reciprocally the feeling caused by vision and diseases such as depression and anxiety decreases. doing. Participating in music concerts Requesting favorite songs to perform improvised music as a group, as well as group discussions about music and the positive impact of these activities are among the items that have been reported.