Music therapy, regarded as expressive therapy, includes the use of music and its different forms to help improve a person’s spiritual, physical and mental health. It has a remarkable ability to evoke intense emotions, and take us back in time.
Music has been used as a powerful tool to change lives and promote healing. In fact, music therapy helps cognitive function, motor skills, and emotional development. More recently, this therapeutic approach has been utilized in schools, recovery programs and in medical and psychiatric hospitals.
The Science of Music and Emotions
According to studies, the relationship between music and emotions is complex and profound. Music has a special power to create a variety of feelings, from happiness and enthusiasm to melancholy and nostalgia. When we listen to music that speaks to us, it’s as if the music connects with our emotions. The ability of music to deeply impact us, makes this phenomenon both universal and cross-cultural.
The neurological processes that underlie how music might elicit emotional reactions are intricate and fascinating. Several brain areas become activated when we hear music. For instance, when we listen to music, the amygdala, which is known to be essential in processing emotions, is triggered. This demonstrates that music has the power to directly impact our emotional centers and elicit emotions that are consistent with the song’s mood. Listening to music also activates the nucleus accumbens, a region of the brain linked to pleasure and reward, suggesting that the experience of hearing music we appreciate is fundamentally joyful and rewarding.
Furthermore, familiarity and personal tastes affect how the brain reacts to music. Because our brains have formed associations and connections with certain melodies, familiar songs evoke stronger emotional reactions. Additionally, the music we like depends a lot on who we are as individuals. One person may consider a piece of music to be inspiring and enjoyable while another may not. This subjectivity draws attention to how unique and varied our emotional reactions to music are.
Music and Memory
According to research, music has a unique capacity to elicit memories and emotions in people. When we hear well-known tunes or melodies, it frequently stirs up powerful feelings of nostalgia and redirects us to the past. This phenomena involves both the emotional and semantic memory systems and is not just related to the auditory part of music. Music, with its innate emotional elements, can act as a signal for remembering connected memories since it has the ability to make emotionally charged events in our life more vividly remembered. Take for example, a song that is played during a memorable life event, like a wedding or graduation; it can leave a lasting impression on the listener’s mind. Years later, listening to that same song can bring back memories, feelings and sensations experienced at that event. Music plays a crucial role in helping to connect our autobiographical experiences and emotions and to shape our self-perception and personal narratives.
In reminiscence treatment for dementia patients, the powerful impact left by music on memory is particularly obvious. Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia frequently cause a progressive decline in cognitive ability and memory impairment. However, even as other cognitive functions deteriorate, the emotional memory is still mostly intact. With its capacity to stimulate feelings and bring back memories, music transforms into an important therapeutic tool in this situation. Listening to music from one’s past can evoke memories and feelings from that period in people with dementia. In some instances, this interaction with familiar music might result in mood improvement, a decrease in agitation, and an improvement in cognitive performance.
Various case studies and examples demonstrate how music can improve memory and can positively influence people with dementia. For instance, Särkämö and colleagues investigated the role of typical music listening in stroke rehabilitation in a single-blind, randomized, and controlled trial. In comparison to patients who listened to audio books or had no listening material, the results showed that patients who regularly listened to their preferred music had significantly better verbal recall and focused attention. Additionally, the music-listening group’s mood significantly improved, with fewer signs of disorientation and depression.
Moreover, research by Eschrich and colleagues explored the connection between the emotional qualities of music and memory. According to the study, non-musicians remembered musical songs with strong emotional valence, or those that made them feel better. This highlights the relationship between emotion and musical memory, showing that the emotional impact of music can have a significant effect on how well we remember it.
Music Therapy Techniques
Each session is customized by a licensed healthcare specialist known as a music therapist to match the unique needs and preferences of the client. Progress is meticulously tracked, and other healthcare professionals may be consulted as needed. With a focus on active engagement and individualized care, music therapy involves a wide range of methods and experiences.
Active Music-Making
Clients actively participate in the creation of music by singing or playing musical instruments. Using this approach can help with emotional expression, improve motor skills, communication, and self-esteem, among other therapeutic goals. For instance, drumming exercises can help clients who struggle with motor coordination, and singing can be utilized to encourage emotional expression and strengthen the bond between therapist and patient.
Passive Music Listening
Clients that engage in passive music listening do so while the therapist chooses music for them, with no active involvement on the client’s behalf. This method works very well for recall therapy, relaxation, and emotional control. Music chosen by therapists is in tune with the client’s emotional condition or therapeutic objectives. For instance, soothing music may support individuals with mood disorders to feel less stressed or anxious.
Songwriting and Lyric Analysis
Clients can create their own songs through songwriting, while lyric analysis entails delving into the significance of lyrics from other songs. Both approaches aid in the processing of trauma, emotion exploration, and self-expression. Clients may compose songs that express their feelings, experiences, or path through recovery. Clients can better relate to the concepts and feelings represented in music by analyzing the lyrics of well-known songs, which promotes self-awareness.
Improvisation
The client and therapist are frequently present during improvisation to facilitate unplanned, unscripted musical expression. It encourages self-expression, communication, and creativity. Because it allows for nonverbal expression and collaborative musical conversations. Improvisation may be especially beneficial for clients who have trouble expressing their emotions verbally.
Music and Movement
Dancing or other rhythmic activities that involve physical movement are examples of music and movement. This method improves self-expression, motor skills, and physical coordination. It can enhance mood and social interaction and is frequently utilized in rehabilitation settings, particularly for people with physical limitations.
Group Drumming and Percussion
Clients who participate in group drumming and percussion exercises play percussion instruments in unison. It encourages collaboration, discussion, and a sense of belonging. Individuals with developmental difficulties or those enrolled in drug or alcohol rehabilitation programs may benefit notably from group drumming.
Conclusion
There are a wide range of therapeutic options available in music therapy. Whether through active engagement, passive listening, or the simple act of appreciating one’s favorite songs, music has the power to enrich our lives in profound and lasting ways.
