Benefits of Music
Music Therapy
The idea of music as a healing influence which could affect health and behavior is as least as old as the writings of Aristotle and Plato. The 20th century discipline began after World War I and World War II when community musicians of all types, both amateur and professional, went to Veterans hospitals around the country to play for the thousands of veterans suffering both physical and emotional trauma from the wars. The patients' notable physical and emotional responses to music led the doctors and nurses to request the hiring of musicians by the hospitals. It was soon evident that the hospital musicians needed some prior training before entering the facility and so the demand grew for a college curriculum. The first music therapy degree program in the world, founded at Michigan State University in 1944, celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1994. The American Music Therapy Association was founded in 1998 as a union of the National Association for Music Therapy and the American Association for Music therapy.
Music Therapy for Nursing Home Patients
Residents in nursing homes are often unable to engage actively in therapeutic sessions or in visits with loved ones. Too often, they may be left in their rooms alone or have only brief encounters with their healthcare professionals. Music therapists have been able to treat the emotional, spiritual, social, and physiological needs of these residents as music allows for both active and passive participation. Music therapists often received the residents in an agitated state. They treated the agitation with live music therapy sessions, and by the end of the session, the residents often fell asleep. It is difficult to think of a more comforting experience than to have live music at the bedside of a resident who is terminally ill, who can no longer verbalize, and who may otherwise be alone.
This study documented that music therapy is an essential component of the scope of services offered to persons residing in nursing homes who are terminally ill receiving hospice care. With music therapy, participants' clinical needs were better met as music therapists treated the whole-person and spent more time with participants in direct care than did other hospice professionals. Future research is needed among this population, and studies should utilize random assignment of participants to better determine the effects of music therapy and gender on variables such as length of life on the hospice program. Although research in the care of people with a terminal illness is complex, and there are many ethical considerations to take in account, it is necessary in order to ensure patients receive the highest quality of care.
Music as a Stimulus for Coma Patients
Jones, C. P. (1990). Spark of life. Geriatric Nursing. 11, 4. 194-196.
Call #: UWEC: (microfilm).
This article is about a story of a man, Bill, who was diagnosed as being in a persistent vegetative state. A nurse became interested in his case and began to use music to produce a stimulus. Bill moved his legs and head to the country music played through earphones. Country music was chosen because it was his favorite style of music. His wife was able to communicate with him through the music. The songs she chose for the tape she made for him spoke of the pain of losing someone you love and a promise to never forget and never stop loving, even though apart. The article stresses the need to try everything because every human being deserves the highest quality of life possible.
Interview of John Roth a recovered coma patient.
Call #: 5208 York Ave So. Minneapolis. MN 55410.
Molly Bjorngjeld conducted an interview with John who had been in an induced coma for three months. He was very adamant when he said that music played a vital role in his recovery. His memory of his whole experience was all strung together in a series of "strange dreams". John’s favorite music was always played on the CD player, which was close to his bed. John also had friends who would come play live music for him on the accordion and guitar. John can remember exactly what songs they played for him and what dreams he had when he heard the music. When his friend played French songs on the accordion, John dreamed of Paris, looking up at Paris skies and the Eiffel tower. A Spanish song played on the accordion brought John to Mexico. He dreamed that he was tied up to a chicken wagon, and every time the tempo of the music got faster, the chickens would peck at his head. This experience was painful for John because he couldn’t tell the accordion player to stop. Most of the music played for John was old gypsy music from England and Paris, Mulish gypsy music from Colombia, and French accordion. The music played was his favorite and was very soothing to John. John’s vital signs were also affected when music was played for him. His oxygen level increased, his heartbeat decreased, his blood pressure was affected, etc. John stressed that hearing is the last thing to go, so he emphasizes the need to talk to coma patients and touch them.
Internet References
Internet Address: http://www.waiting.com/comabasics.html
This site contains a definition of coma and describes the two areas it involves (reactivity and perceptivity), stimuli, and actions of a comatose patient. It also stresses the importance of speaking positively around a person in a coma. This site could be helpful when looking for an in depth definition of coma.
Different types of stimulation and visits from significant others both could have an effect on the patient’s outcome.
Consider the intrusion quality of the music.
Music therapy goals for targeting these problem areas
To provide music to elicit relaxation
To provide music for stimulation purposes to elicit responses
To use music to alter breathing patterns
To assist recovery as quickly and efficiently as possible
To help people regain the most independent level of functioning possible
Music Therapy methods used for treatment
Use a wide variety of instruments- pitched, non-pitched, high, low, and different sounds.
Use intrusive stimuli- cymbals in ears, rhythmic patterns on chest, high pitched flute, flexitone.
Use non musical stimuli including sounds of previous importance to patient.
Use your voice.
Use gongs, drum heads, tone bars, tambourine, jingle stick and bell bracelet.
Use combinations of guitar and voice or other instruments.
Play songs that are familiar to the patient using varied tempo and volume.
Music calms the restless heart, and new research indicates that patients that are not communicating verbally recognize the voices of loved ones and respond in positive ways when they hear them.
Music has a way of lifting the hearts and spirits, and seems to reach even the most distant souls.
“This ability to sing words even if
one cannot speak them, invariably
gives pleasure and a sense that
one is not so devastatingly disabled.”
Oliver Sacks
