Learning to play an instrument engages the cognitive brain and creates the greatest potential for distraction and pain reduction.
New analysis finds that music improves our mood and well-being, may help during treatments for certain health conditions
New analysis finds music boosts our mood and well-being, may help during treatments for certain health conditions
Recently, researchers have analyzed the impact of music interventions on health-related quality of life and have attempted to answer the question of how best to help make this shift towards release, relaxation and rehabilitation. This recent systematic review and meta-analysis (a study of studies) showed that the use of music interventions (listening to music, singing, and music therapy) can create significant improvements in mental health and minor improvements in health-related physical health quality. life. While the researchers found a positive impact on psychological quality of life, they didn’t find a best intervention or “dose” of music that works best for all people.
Complexities of music
As complex human beings from a wide variety of cultures, with a variety of life experiences and physical and mental health needs, our connection to music is very personal. Our relationship with music can be a very beautiful, vulnerable, and often complicated dance that changes from moment to moment based on our mood, preferences, social situation, and past experiences. There are times when music can have a clear and immediate impact on our well-being:
There are other times when a board-certified music therapist can help you build that connection with music and find the best intervention and “dose” that can positively impact your health and provide a form of healing. See the article : Health disparities percolate into work-based coverage.
How can music be used as a therapeutic tool?
Music therapy is an established health profession that uses evidence-based music interventions to meet therapeutic health goals. On the same subject : N.C. born Ben Folds founds initiative to offer music lessons for children. Music therapy takes place between a patient (and possibly their caregivers and/or family members) and a board-certified music therapist who has completed an accredited undergraduate or graduate music therapy program.
Music therapists use active (singing, instrument exploration, composition, movement, digital music creation, and more) and receptive interventions (listening to music, guided imagery with music, creating playlists or musical conversations and reminiscences) and create goals for improve health and well-being.
This is an excerpt from an article that appears on the Harvard Health Publishing website.
Lorrie Kubicek is a certified music therapist at Massachusetts General Hospital, co-director of the Katherine A. Gallagher Integrative Therapies Program and manager of the expressive therapies program at the MGH Cancer Center and Mass General Hospital for Children.
