When asked to describe music, many would say the following characteristics: notes, vibrations. sounds, melodies, tunes, etc. Naturally these answers make sense because indeed music is each one of those characteristics, but what people fail to remember is how healthful music can be. Here is where music therapy steps in. Music Therapy by definition from the American Music Therapy Association is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program.
Music is deeply connected with our brain. This is why there are countless neurologists that study music’s effects on it. Their discoveries are what have led to so many answers that previously were unknown. When a patient listens to music under a MRI it has been noticed that several parts of the brain are activated. There are many key parts of the brain that are enhanced when listening to music. Some of these areas include the following; frontal lobe, cerebellum, hippocampus, hypothalamus, and putamen.
The frontal lobe is in charge of thinking, decision-making, and planning; when music is played, these functions are heightened. The cerebellum controls movement and stores physical memory. Some patients with Alzheimers have been able to remember playing certain piano pieces due to muscle memory. The Hippocampus is able to retrieve memories, regulate emotional responses as well as coordinate navigation. Music has been found to increase neurogenesis which is the process of new neurons being developed in the brain which helps in improving one’s memory. The hypothalamus links the endocrine and nervous system and produces hormones and chemicals that regulate the body. Some have found that playing certain songs can lower both the heart rate and blood pressure. The putamen is what helps the body process rhythm, movement, and coordination. Research has found that since music increases dopamine, it increases the response to rhythm which has the ability to temporarily stop the symptoms of Parkinson's disease; patients have been able to stand up, sit down, and even walk.
Whether it is through active involvement in music itself or just merely listening to music, the effects are still present in patients. This is proved through the numerous studies that are being made in order to gather more information on this technique. In a meta-analysis of over 400 studies, Levitin and Mona Lisa Chanda found that music improves the immune system, reduces stress. When one plays or listens to music, the body automatically increases its production of the antibody immunoglobulin A and natural killer cells. These cells attack foreign viruses and help boost the immune system. Endorphins are also another set of chemicals that are produced; these help patients both reach a more content state as well as block pain receptors from transmitting pain messages. Additionally Levitan and Lisa found that music reduces cortisol, the stress hormone which is why listening to music was found to be more effective than anxiety reducing drugs before surgery.
At its foundation, or basis, music is composed of vibration frequencies. This is why the deaf community enjoys listening to music; they feel the vibrations. A music professor at the University of Toronto, Lee Bartel, along with many researchers are investigating whether sound vibrations absorbed by the body help calming Parkinson's disease symptoms, fibromyalgia, and depression. Although, there is already a type of music therapy that engages in sound vibrations. This therapy is called vibroacoustic therapy which uses sounds of the lower frequency applied directly to the body. During this therapy, patients lie on an object that holds speakers which transfer vibrations of a specific computer-generated frequency that the patient can hear and feel. Researchers led by Lauren K. from King of the Sun Life Financial Movement Disorders Research and Rehabilitation Centre at Wilfrid Laurier University discovered that short-term use of vibroacoustic therapy controlled symptoms in Parkinson's disease patients. Some reported less rigidity and increased walking speed with larger strides as well as reduced tremors. What the researchers had done was perform low frequency 30 hertz vibration for one minute and then take a one minute break; this process would go on for around ten minutes.
Overall, a tremendous amount of research and investigation has and is being done which may inch us closer to hopefully drastically help patients with Alzheimers and Parkinson’s disease. Music therapy however is not a common therapy that is used or talked about. It is important to raise awareness of the many studies being done, the therapy itself, and the results that have been found. We are making progress, but it will have gone to waste if people do not know about it and do not know that they can benefit from it.
Comments