The creative use of music within occupational therapy - Essay Example

The Creative Use of Music within Occupational Therapy Introduction For many years, doctors and research scientists have been assessing how the body reacts to music.  “Since the 1700s, extensive research since that time proves abundant evidence to the physiological benefits to music.  Those benefits include decreased blood pressure, decreased heart rate, improved immune function, decreased anxiety and decreased muscle tension” (Howland n.d.). The successes of patients involved in music therapy are quantitatively difficult to measure. This makes it complicated to prove results on paper, but they are very real (Huss 2006). Healing isnt about science, it’s about people and “real people are experiencing very real results from the healing power of music, often through the efforts of volunteers, in hospices, senior centers, and in cancer and childrens wards” (Mucci 2006). More so than weight or diet or family history, stress is the leading indicator of the probability of having a heart attack or stroke. Researchers have revealed a direct association between particular musical frequencies and human brain wave patterns. The two are coupled by vibrations. By using music, scientists are able to increase learning ability and creativity, increase the amount of dream time and deepen relaxation and sleep. “You must feel the music as well as hear it. You will experience the best healing results when you open up to listen not just with your physical ears, but when you start to feel the vibration of the music with your whole body and spirit” (Cardinal 2006). This discussion examines music and its effectiveness in occupational therapy. It will review the definition of music therapy, the job of music therapists, how music therapy aids in stress reduction, pain management, autism and dementia. This paper will also discover how music therapy makes a difference with young children and pediatric palliative care. It will conclude with a case study. What Is Music Therapy? Music is used therapeutically to deal with physical, psychological and social functioning for patients of all ages and is a recognized health service used within occupational, physical and speech therapy.  “Because music therapy is a powerful and non-invasive medium, unique outcomes are possible” (Howland n.d.). Music therapy involves meaningful relationships between not only the therapist and patient as in other, more traditional types of treatment, but also creates a positive relationship between the music and the patients. “These relationships are structured and adapted through the elements of music to create a positive environment and set the occasion for successful growth” (Music Therapy 1999). Who is music therapy for? Music therapy effectively treats people of all ages suffering from a broad range of afflictions and is offered in a variety of settings. Many hospitals, special schools, prisons and community service centers offer music therapy for children through adults. “Developmental delay, emotional and behavioural problems, autistic, spectrum disorders, learning disability, communication disorders, mental health problems stress, stroke recovery/rehabilitation and physical illness” describe some of the conditions for which people have found music therapy to be beneficial (Nordoff-Robbins n.d.). What Do Music Therapists Do? For some patients, music serves their immediate needs. For others, the music is a conduit between client and therapist. “By offering support and acceptance the therapist can help the client to work towards emotional release and self acceptance” (What is Music Therapy 2005). A music therapist might work in public practice such as a hospital, at the government level, e.g: at the local education facilities, a national health organization or social service work. They may also choose private practice with an office to themselves. “In all work settings, music therapists function as part of the multi-disciplinary team, their observations adding greatly to the understanding of each clients needs, abilities or problems” (What is Music Therapy 2005). Often working as a part of a team, music therapists may “coordinate programming with other professionals such as early intervention specialists, medical personnel, child-life specialists, psychologists, occupational and physical therapists, speech/language pathologists, adapted physical education specialists and art and dance/movement therapists” (Music Therapy 1999). How can music therapy help? The benefit that patients acquire from music therapy is as broad and as varied as the wants of the people using the technique.  Because music can communicate feeling without the use of words, this therapy can provide a safe setting for a patient where difficult or repressed feelings may be more freely expressed supplying a needed emotional release. “For a person whose difficulties are mainly emotional, music is essentially a social activity involving communication, listening and sharing.  These skills may be developed within the musical relationship with the therapist and, in group therapy, with other members.  As a result, clients may develop a greater awareness of themselves in relation to others” (What is Music Therapy 2005). It can significantly increase their confidence in their own ability to make relationships and to discover constructive methods of making their needs known. Music Therapy and Pain Management Music therapy techniques can positively impact both physical and emotional experiences of pain and stress experienced in association with chronic pain, childbirth, cancer treatments and surgery. “Emotion, memory and music are processed concurrently by the brain in powerful ways.  Thats why the music of our youth, the music that we fall in love with, is so memorable” (Howland n.d.). “We believe that patients who are under less stress, who are in a brighter mood, appear to do better in terms of their anti-cancer therapy. I think that music therapy and imaging and immune therapy of cancer all tie together” (Quan n.d.). Music as a therapy to pain after surgery has been shown to be advantageous to patients physically and psychologically as well. “Hospitalization can result in physical stress from surgery as well as emotional stress due to unexpected news, unfamiliar environments, and a sense of losing control” (Roberts 2002). There are several ways in which music therapy positively affects pain. “Music serves as a distracter, may give the patient a sense of control, causes the body to release endorphins to counteract pain and slow music relaxes a person by slowing their breathing and heartbeat” (Roberts, 2002). Music therapy for people with autism Music therapy can be used with people with many types of physical, cognitive and emotional disabilities but has particular benefits for people with autism. “Music therapy has become accepted as a useful intervention for people with autism since it was introduced to the UK in the 1950’s and 60’s by practitioners like Juliette Alvin, Paul Nordoff and Clive Robbins” (Bell 2005). By participating in music therapy, a person with autism is more open to experiences and investigates a broader range of emotions. “The nature of music is to combine a secure structure with constant change; in therapy music can form a familiar environment which the person with autism can participate in, occasionally diverting into episodes of more spontaneous and new experiences of play, according to his or her ability” (Brown 1994). “Controlled research studies have confirmed that improvisational music therapy can increase the communicative behaviour of children with autism, and that these skills are generalised to other contexts” (Edgerton 1994). “Music intervention, regardless of purpose or implementation, has been effective for children and adolescents with autism” (Whipple 2004). Music therapy and dementia Dementia is a progressive, degenerative and irreversible brain disorder for which there is no cure. The progressive illness weakens a person intellectually and causes confusion and ultimately, death. “It is estimated that 2-5 percent of people over 65 years of age and up to 20 percent of those over 85 years of age suffer from the disease” according to Professor Chris Bulpitt, Imperial College London (Music Therapy Helps 2000). Bulpitt believes music therapy can benefit patients. Neuroscientists Professor Susan Greenfield described the therapy as marvelous for dementia patients. “I think this is marvelous because it is not involving drugs and so much treatment usually involves some sort of medication. Here we have something that is exploiting a natural property of the brain to really maximise the benefits” (Music Therapy Helps 2000). Greenfield said that while the therapy will not cure dementia it could slow down the progression of the disease. “What could be the case, and this is just an idea, is that by stimulating the brain in this way youre actually stimulating the connections youre trying to keep them working and if they are working then perhaps they would be less prone to degenerating. So it may be slowing down the process in some way, stabilising what you have” (Music Therapy Helps 2000). Greenfield added that because it is not involving high tech equipment or very expensive or toxic drugs, she hoped the therapy could be introduced across the UK. How music therapy affects children Music therapy effects changes in a child’s behavior and makes available a unique variety of music experiences by introducing differing types of music and instruments which are effective for motivating for a child. Musical therapy “involves children in singing, listening, moving, playing, and in creative activities that may help them become better learners and facilitates development of his/her communication, social/emotional, sensori-motor, and/or cognitive skills” (Music Therapy 1999). For anyone, music can either stimulate act or to create a soothing and tranquil feeling. Through music, children’s level of participation increases thus creating a more absorbent learning platform. Music naturally inspires otherwise insecure children to learn while they play. Musical activities are designed to be success-oriented and make children feel better about themselves. Music stimulates the senses and engages children on many levels. Music therapy can help a child manage pain and stressful situations and encourages self-expression, communication and improves motor skills. “Because the brain processes music in both hemispheres, music can stimulate cognitive functioning and may be used for remediation of some speech/language skills” (Music Therapy 1999). Music therapists develop a rapport with children while observing the child’s behavior and provide families with ideas and resources for using music with the child at home. “Music therapists document responses, conduct ongoing evaluations of progress, and often make recommendations to other team members and the family regarding progress. Music therapists will also often make recommendations to team members and the family regarding ways to include successful music therapy techniques in other aspects of the child’s life” (Music Therapy 1999). Music therapy provides interactive, enjoyable activities for families. “Often music therapy allows a family to see a child in a new light as the child’s strengths are manifested in the music therapy environment” (Music Therapy 1999). In a study (Megel et al 1998), children from three to six years old were given musical intervention (a series of lullabies played through headphones) during immunizations. “Before a child received an immunization, his or her blood pressure and heart rate were measured and data about his or her distress level were collected. While this study found no significant differences in blood pressure, heart rate, or perceived pain between the experimental and control groups, total distress scores were significantly less for the group that received music intervention, suggesting the stress/perceived pain associated with immunizations can be somewhat alleviated through the use of a distracter such as music” (Kwekkeboom 2003). Music Therapy within Pediatric Palliative Care Music therapy allows children to deal with their feelings about death. It has been shown to aid children in communicating more openly with their families while they cope with terminal illnesses “such as separation from family and friends, misunderstandings regarding illness, disease and death, loss of control, hospital fears, pain management, coping with loss and disappointment, sensitivity with self-esteem, and the realities of a debilitating diagnosis” (Aldridge 1996). “Music therapy enables families to share special times together to alleviate and accompany caring tasks the benefits of music therapy during palliative and hospice visits within the home. They noticed that music therapy services provided a vital means of communication and self-expression for children with terminal illnesses and their families” (Everitt & Nall 2005). Music therapy often provides comfort and support for both the terminally ill child and their family. “Music therapy is frequently a shared experience between the child and parent to relieve stresses and to provide opportunities to support their emotional bond” (McDonnell 1983). Music therapy had meant something valuable to families and it provided a positive focus for both the child and family at a time when most aspects of life felt daunting. Parents’ perceptions of their child and their illness can be supported by participating in music therapy together. The musical memories and creations can be a gift left for the family after the child has died and may assist in coping for both the child and family members (Daveson & Kennelly 2000). Conclusion Physical disabilities, substance abuse, communication disorders, and aging are more examples of the many therapeutic uses of music therapy. Though playing a less important role in managing pain than medications, music therapy has far-reaching benefits with no side-effects. It is a non-invasive, low-cost and effective method to help ease many forms of distress for patients. It is also a way for care-takes to be more personal by reaching a patient further than simply the bodily sphere of traditional medical remedies. Therefore, music therapy should be offered to patients as a supplemental means of discomfort management. Patients will benefit from the pleasant mental pictures music inspires diverting their attention resulting in a relaxed physiological reaction. Music therapy can also be used to improve learning in people of all ages, build self-esteem, reduce stress and smooth out the recuperative care process. Musical therapy is becoming more accepted in helping patients deal with problems ranging from severe psychiatric disorders to all manner of physical impairment. References Aldridge, D. (1996). “Music Therapy Research in the Medical Literature.” Music Therapy Research and Practice in Medicine: From Out of the Silence. Ed. D. Aldridge. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers Bell, E. (January 2005). “Music Therapy.” The National Autistic Society. Retrieved 20 February 2006 from Brown, S.M.K. (1994) “Autism and Music Therapy: Is Change Possible, and Why Music?” Journal of British Music Therapy. Vol. 8, I. 1, pp. 15-25. Cardinal, F. (2006). “The Music of Your Dreams.” Music and Your Mind. Retrieved 20 February 2006 from Daveson, B., & J. Kennelly (2000). “Music Therapy in Palliative Care for Hospitalized Children and Adolescents.” Journal of Palliative Care. Vol. 16, I. 1, pp. 35-38. Edgerton, C.L. (1994) “The Effect of Music Therapy on the Communicative Behaviours of Autistic Children.” Journal of Music Therapy. Vol. 31, I. 1, pp. 31-62. Everitt, E., & K. Nall (2005). “From Hospice to Home: Music Therapy Outreach.” Music Therapy in Childrens Hospices. Ed. M. Pavlicevic. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers. Howland, K. (n.d.). Music Therapeutics: A Practice in Harmonic Living. Retrieved 20 February 2006 from Huss, E. (2006). “Interview: Music Therapist.” Musicians Exchange. Retrieved 20 February 2006 from < http://musicians.about.com/library/musicjobs/therapist/bltherapist2.htm> Kwekkeboom, K. (2003). “Music Versus Distraction for Procedural Pain and Anxiety in Patients with Cancer.” Oncology Nursing Forum. Vol. 30, I. 3, pp. 433-440. McDonnell, L. (1983). “Music Therapy: Meeting the Psychosocial Needs of Hospitalized Children.” Child Health Care. Vol. 12, I. 1, pp. 29-33. Megel, M.E., Houser, C.W., & Gleaves, L.S. (1998). “Childrens Responses to Immunizations: Lullabies as a Distraction.” Issues in Comprehensive Pediatric Nursing. Vol. 21, I. 3, pp. 129-145. Mucci, K. (2006). “The Healing Sound of Music.” Holistic Healing. Retrieved 20 February 2006 from < http://healing.about.com/od/sound/a/kmucci_music.htm> “Music Therapy and Young Children.” (1999). American Music Therapy Association. Retrieved 20 February 2006 from “Music Therapy Helps Dementia.” (16 November 2000). BBC News. Retrieved 20 February 2006 from < http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/1026153.stm> “Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy.” (n.d.). Nordoff-Robbins. Retrieved 20 February 2006 from Quan, W. Jr. (n.d.). Quoted in Howland, K. Music Therapeutics: A Practice in Harmonic Living. Retrieved 20 February 2006 from Roberts, S. (2002). “Music therapy for chronic pain.” The Diabetes Forecast. Vol. 55, I. 9, pp. 26-28. “What is Music Therapy?” (2005). British Society for Music Therapy. Retrieved 20 February 2006 from < http://www.bsmt.org/the_society.htm> Whipple, J. (2004) “Music in Intervention for Children and Adolescents with Autism: A Meta Analysis.” Journal of Music Therapy. Vol. 41, I. 2, pp. 90-106. Read More