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Essay about Music As Therapy
Music As Therapy
There was never a question in my mind that music possesses a strong element to help people. It has always been a stress reliever in my life. There is
research that supports the belief that music is an instrumental part or impact on a wider realm of physical and mental disorders or disabilities. Music is
known to set the mood or atmosphere for all types of situations. There is extensive research completed on this subject.
Just take a look around. When you look at a movie it is filled with just the right music at the right time to convey the way the writer/ director wants
you to feel. Call any major corporation for customer service assistance and you will here hold music to make you feel less tense and patient. This...show
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Music therapy can also help individuals on their journey of self–growth and understanding." (Music Therapy FAQ) A method called, the Bonny
Method of Guided Imagery and Music. The technique is better known as GIM. It was developed by a music therapist named Dr. Helen Bonny. "When
used as a therapeutic tool, GIM can lead to a deep uncovering of hidden emotional response and stimulate creative insights. (Music Therapy FAQ) The
20th century discipline began after World War I and WWII when community musicians of all types, both amateur and professional, went to Veteran
hospitals around the country to play for the thousands of 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 or the National Association for
Music Therapy and the American Association for Music Therapy.
In order for these sessions to take place the system needs people to teach the system. These are the dedicated ones that work one on one with clients
with the disorders. Music Therapists design music sessions for
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Music Therapy
IntroductionIn this research paper, the effectiveness of music therapy on the cognitive degenerative disorder of dementia will be evaluated. To support
the contention that music therapy is effective in treating the symptoms of dementia, research documenting this therapy's impact on memory, emotions,
and behavior will be examined. In order to provide a greater understanding of music therapy and dementia, these terms will be defined. Second,
research will be examined to determine music therapy's impact on the psychological and behavioral issues associated with dementia. Finally, a
summary of music therapy's benefits and an evaluation of its effectiveness in treating individuals afflicted with dementia will be discussed....show more
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Alzheimer 's disease causes 50% to 60% of all cases of dementia (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke). In addition, researchers
have found that two other nervous system conditions, Lewy body disease and Pick 's disease, which were originally incorrectly diagnosed as
Alzheimer 's, are emerging as major causes of dementia (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke). Dementia is considered a late–life
disease because it tends to develop mostly in elderly people; as many as half of all people over the age of eighty are suspected of suffering from
Alzheimer 's disease (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke). Doctors administer a variety of strategies to diagnose dementia
(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke). It is extremely important that all treatable conditions first be ruled out, such as depression
and Vitamin B12 deficiency, which can cause the same type of symptoms as dementia (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke).
Timely and accurate diagnosis of dementia is extremely important for both the patient and their families because it allows early treatment of symptoms
(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke). A variety of tests are used to aid in the diagnosis process, such as neurological evaluations,
in which doctors look specifically at patients' balance, sensory responses, reflexes, and various other functions (National
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Music Therapy Outline
Nakayla Smiley
Ms. Thomas
English IV, 1st
20 April 2017
Music Therapy
Thesis: Music Therapy is a skillful use of music and musical elements by an accredited music therapist to promote, maintain, and restore mental,
physical, emotional, and spiritual health.
I.Introduction
A. What is music therapy?
B. Music therapy is a skillful use of music and musical elements by an accredited music therapist to promote, maintain, and restore mental, physical,
emotional, and spiritual health.
C. Music has nonverbal, creative, structural, and emotional qualities.
D. There are no potentially harmful or toxic effects.
II.Body
A. Musical therapist work with people for many different reasons.
1. Music therapy is used in hospitals to help patients reduce...show more content...
Music can change mood, have stimulant or sedative effects, and after physiologic process such as heart rate and breathing.
Hilliard, R. E. "Music Therapy in Hospice and Palliative Care: A Review of the Empirical Data." C. Music therapy should be done only by a certified
music therapist.
1. Degrees in music therapy became available in the late 1940s, and in 1950s, the first professional association of music therapist was formed in the
U.S. a. You must pass a certification exam. b. To be certified, a candidate must complete a bachelor's or higher degree in music therapy from an
approved college or university program, as well as 1,200 hours in clinical training followed by a supervised internship. c. Some music therapist are
self–employed and may be hired on a contractual basis to provide assessment, consultation, or treatment services for children and adults.
Bruscia, Kenneth E. Defining music therapy.
III.Conclusion
A.Music has been used throughout human history to express and affect human emotion.
B.B. The Old Testament describes King Saul as finding relief from his mood disorder through listening to David's harp music.
C.C. Music can relieve muscle tension and improve motor
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Music Therapy
Music therapy is used to treat people for various reasons and there are multiple styles of treatment presently being used. Music therapy is an effective
form of therapy that is used on people of all ages to improve quality of life.
Music therapy has been used in the medical industry for more than 60 years and there are many people who have no idea what it is. During W.W.I.,
music therapy in the United States began to develop when music was used in the Veterans Administration Hospitals as an intervention to address
traumatic war injuries. There were several musicians who were not working and they would go to the Veteran hospitals to play for the injured soldiers.
"Numerous doctors and nurses witnessed the effect music had on veterans'...show more content...
In addition, music therapy is beneficial for people who suffer from substance abuse, brain injuries, and acute pain, to mothers who are in labor
(American Music Therapy Association, Inc., 1999).
Music Therapy has had numerous clinical studies to suggest that not only musical therapy is an effective means of treatment, but the sound of music
is soothing and comfortable, and it lowers cortisol, a stress hormone, as much as 25%. The music can reduce pain for patients who have come out of
surgery, decreases nausea with patients who are receiving chemotherapy, and increases awareness of self and environment. A study conducted at Yale
University School of medicine proved that patients who were awake during a surgical procedure listening to their favorite music need lower doses of
pain medication than patients who did not listen to music (Syed, 2006).
Developmentally disabled individuals and individuals with mental health needs are also receptive and benefit from music therapy. Music therapy for
autistic individuals has helped to teach social interacting, encouraging the desire to communicate, and minimizing non–communicative speech. "As far
as autism is concerned, studies have shown that music therapy has a significant, positive influence when used to treat autistic individuals" (Evans,
2008, para. 3). Children diagnosed with autism are very receptive to music therapy. It was stated "Music
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Music Therapy
Music is the Best Medicine Music has been around for thousands of years; it can be used for entertainment, teaching, or healing and coping. One reason
people today listen to music is to help get them through rough times. The structural composition of music can influence a person's thoughts and mood
simply through the right chord progression. It has now become an acceptable modality for certain psychological and medicinal mechanisms. Music has
recently developed into a therapeutic mechanism for situations stretching from autistic people to the average person struggling with heart break or
simply just focusing. Music therapy has been highly recommended as a treatment in facilitating communication. People with autism are crippled with
significant...show more content...
"In 2009 a study found that children with autism showed more emotional expression and social engagement during their music therapy sessions as
opposed to play sessions without music" (Vivo). "In the study, children also responded more frequently to their therapist's request than in sessions
without music" (Vivo). Music can act as a security blanket for some people. For the children in this study, the music they listened to during their play
sessions made them feel secure and allowed them to open up and engage with the other children in their therapy session. Not only can listening to
music assist in a child's therapy engagement, but "a skilled therapist can use music to increase a child's social interaction and skills" (Vivo). "Therapy
can increase the interactions of children by passing and sharing instruments, games that involve movement and music, and gathering around a central
instrument" (Vivo). Children learn to socialize whether it is through their verbal communication skills or their non–verbal communication skills. The
children are put in a situation where they are forced to socialize however; the music provides an element of protection and security resulting in an
autistic child who is no longer wandering around the room in fear but engaging in activities with a smile on their
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