The World Federation of Music Therapy defined music therapy as the use of music or the elements of music by a music therapist, with a group, in order to enhance and promote expression, communication, learning, organization, and other therapeutic objectives, so as to meet social, physical, mental and emotional needs of a patient. It is a growing profession globally and includes a variety of practices and models. The use of music therapy in cancer care is an emerging field in developed countries, with an increasing number of therapists working in oncology.
Music therapy can either be active or receptive. In active therapy, the patient plays an instrument for himself/herself while, in receptive therapy, the patient listens to live or recorded music. The techniques used in music therapy include voice techniques and instrumental techniques. Vocal techniques can be accompanied or acapella. They involve lyric improvisation and writing songs, pre-composed songs, and chanting or toning. Patients or members of his family can put their own words in a spontaneously formed melody. This enhances self-expression between families and patients. Pre-composed songs can be used to express emotions otherwise difficult to express. Moreover, human voice in a song can help reduce the sense of isolation. The selection of a song improves the sense of control because the patient is involved actively. Chanting and toning has been used to focus attention and can enhance expression, reduce fatigue, enhance the flow of breath, and relaxation. Instrumental techniques involve listening to music, improvisation, and meditation on music. The patient may select an instrument, which is then played quietly by the therapist. Recorded music instruments can also be carefully chosen to meet the needs of the patient. Listening distracts the patient from the pain and feeling of discomfort. A mood of peace may be created by live music. The patients then meditate on the words to enhance their inner strength, and sense of control. Meditation redirects the thoughts of the patient, increases relaxation, and the level of comfort.
Music therapy has been used to treat cancer patients. This therapy method is beneficial to acute and palliative cancer patients in the disease’s final stage. A study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of music therapy on patients with acute cancer. These patients were receiving chemotherapy, stem cell transplants or other surgery.1 The reports indicated that listening to or playing music helped to relieve pain, relax, and set a favorable mood. It also helped reduce diastolic pressure, fatigue, insomnia, and loss of appetite in older patients. In a study on the effects of music therapy on patients undergoing surgery, it was found that it helped to reduce fear before, during, and after the surgery. Another study on the effects of music on hospitalized patients, who had undergone stem cell transplantation, found that it helped reduce mood disturbance, and depression. Music therapy is also applied to patients with end stage cancer. Research on the effects of music therapy on cancer patients living in hospices found that it improved the quality of life, control of pain, and the physical well-being of the patients. 2Chronic cancer patients received music therapy in a study. The results showed an increase in the synchronization and coordination of the musical beat and heart rate. A higher degree of synchronization was observed in patients with higher rates of relaxation. A decrease in insomnia and consumption of analgetics was also observed. Music therapy improved the spiritual well-being of the patients at the hospice. Active music therapy has also been used on cancer survivors. In a study to show its effectiveness, patients were either put in a therapy group making music or a group responding to music. The results of both groups showed improved moods of the patients. Music helps the patient to be in touch with the feelings they were not able to express before. It also increases self-awareness and rekindles memories. Furthermore, it can improve on identity problems. Music therapy releases feelings of joy, freedom, power as well as feelings of regret, loss and regret.
Music therapy on patients recovering from cancer focuses on the psychological aspects. Full recovery after tumor ablation may take 5 years. During this period, the patient experiences the fear of the cancer recurring. This may cause depression leading to feelings of anger, emotional repression and guilt. After a long period of medication, patients wish to have positive emotions like enjoyment because the quality of life has been reduced by the cancer. Music therapy is, therefore, employed to help these patients express their emotions. Studies show that active and receptive music therapies enhance emotional expression and perception in patients with cancer. Cancer patients may also express low self-esteem, as a result of physical impairment, self-reproaches and guilt. Not only does music therapy enhance their self-esteem, it also makes them feel equal to other members since music therapy is free from judgment. The feeling of equality and success is necessary for cancer patients since they view themselves of less value than the healthy population.
Apart from cancer treatment, music therapy has also been used as a mode of treatment to other illnesses. In a study involving psychiatric patients who were disruptive and violent during meal times, it was observed that playing background music created a more relaxed atmosphere. The use of music in psychotherapy helps patients awaken their emotions, and cope with the unconscious psychic conflicts. Group therapy is used to treat problems associated with adolescents. It encourages, motivates and fosters a free expression culture in the patient. Four bases identified that music therapy may help adolescents overcome their problems are: it enables them to have access to their past; encourages them to focus on the present; gives them the opportunity to control the future, and the strength to cope with difficulties towards change of behavior.
The responsiveness of patients with Alzheimer’s disease has shown improvement after music therapy sessions. A case was reported of a woman who had aphasia, apraxia, and memory dysfunction, but was still able to sight read and play an unfamiliar piece of music. In addition to improving the quality of life of Alzheimer patients, music therapy gives them the feeling of acceptance and belonging. Experts recommend music therapy in geriatric care arguing that it reduces the need to prescribe tranquilizing medication, use of hypnotic and enhances overall rehabilitation.
Music has been shown to have an effect on blood pressure and heart rate. The level of this effect is determined by how much the music is appreciated by the subject. Music of differing pitch, tone, and rhythm elicit different emotions. Studies show that listening to music produces an overall rise in blood pressure; however small. Therefore, music therapies can be given to patients with heart disease and/or hypertension. Experts have demonstrated that the heart rate can be varied through entraining the sinus rhythm with an auditory stimulus. In an experiment, an audio was played to the subject at a marked cardiac cycle. The resultant heart increased by 12% after 3 minutes. Music therapy is used on chronically ill patients like ICU patients. After incidences of heart attack, the sinus rhythms of patients become unstable, creating the need for coronary care. Assessments have been done where music is delivered through headphones to intensive care unit patients, with the aim of reducing stress. The music chosen for such patients has sedative and relaxing effects.3 The results show that the treatment helps to reduce systolic pressure, and a change of from an anxious to a relaxed mood is achieved.
Music therapy can enhance the well-being of members of a family. The management and commitments of families can be involving and depressing in equal measure. It is, therefore, common for members of a family to complain of symptoms like insomnia, fatigue and isolation. A situation like this may call for the assistance of a music therapist who may involve the family members the therapy. They may collectively contribute to activities such as selection of a song, writing of a song or playing of an instrument. A music therapist can guide a family member of an ailing patient to comfort him through singing softly or playing an instrument. This gives family a chance to express their pain towards the suffering of one their own. Such support can have a significant impact on the relationship between family members. Family members and patients have reported that music therapies have helped them regain a sense of faith and hope, and have taught them the value of relationships.
All in all, music therapy influences the well-being of cancer patients, positively, during treatment and recovery period. In addition, it can also be applied to other ailments such as Alzheimer’s disease, hypertension, heart attacks, and to psychiatric patients. However, more research needs to be conducted to outline the qualitative nature of music therapy.
Works Cited
Aldridge, David. Music therapy research: A review of references in the medical literature. Witten: University Witten Herdecke, 2001.
Baker, Sherry. Music Therapy Shows Promise In Treating High Blood Pressure. 21 June 2008.
Chan, A. P. Alzheimer's Disease Research Trends. New York: Nova Publishers, 2007.
Daykin, Norma, Lesley Bunt and Stuart McClean. "Habilitation: Music Therapy Research and Evidence Based Practice Support." American Music Therapy Association (2007): 402-413.
Ettinger, David S. Supportive Care in Cancer Therapy. New York: Springer, 2008.
Stubblefield, Michael and Michael O'Dell. Cancer Rehabilitation: Principles and Practice. New York: Demos Medical Publishing, 2009.
Teiwes, Franca. "Music therapy with cancer patients receiving post-hospital curative treatment:satisfaction, emotional perception, perceived effects and working elements." Psychology & communication of Health & Risk (2009): 56-79.
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