Within the wide range of innovative holistic therapies available, music therapy is notable for its demonstrated impact on a wide variety of conditions. University Hospitals (UH) Connor Whole Health has recently conducted an extensive study on its music therapy program across 10 medical centers to determine its use and effectiveness. The findings suggest that music therapy can be used to reduce stress, anxiety, and pain in patients suffering from diverse ailments.
The Rise of Alternative Therapies
Holistic and alternative treatment options such as music therapy have gained attention in recent years. While not all of these treatments have been well-researched, in some cases evidence has been found to support their effectiveness.
Research supports the use of certain holistic therapies in reducing stress, alleviating pain, boosting immune function, and enhancing cognitive abilities. These findings highlight the growing importance of holistic and alternative therapies in healthcare but also point to the need for further data and investigation.
In music therapy, licensed practitioners work with patients to develop a personalized treatment plan based on their healthcare needs and their musical interests. The activities may take the form of listening to music or actively participating using the voice or instruments.
Music therapy has been used to support individuals with issues ranging from anxiety and depression to autism and substance abuse — and even cognitive decline. In a 2022 study, the New York Academy of Sciences outlined how music therapy is being used in Alzheimer’s patients. “In AD patients, music can be used as an effective cue to recall autobiographical memories and elicit strong emotions, often offering a meaningful way to connect with themselves and their loved ones,” the study’s authors note. Proponents of music therapy point to the universality of music to produce potent emotional, psychological, and physiological effects.
The versatility of music allows for a highly individualized therapeutic experience, making music therapy potentially appealing to a wide variety of people. It is growing in status both within the field of holistic treatments and conventional medicine.
What the Data Says about Music Therapy
A recent study conducted by University Hospitals, titled “Effectiveness of Music Therapy within Community Hospitals,” shows a clear link between music therapy and the reduction of pain and anxiety. Conducted across eight community medical centers, the study observed more than 7,000 patients with moderate-to-severe symptoms.
The patients all received ongoing music therapy, with goals set for the sessions according to the patient’s needs. The most common session goals were pain management, stress reduction, relaxation, and anxiety reduction. The results showed meaningful reductions in pain, anxiety, and stress following even a single music therapy session.
If successful, the impact of this treatment would have tremendous positive benefits. Stress alone is a risk factor for a range of physical and mental health problems, according to the American Psychological Association — from anxiety disorders and depression to cardiovascular disease and many forms of cancer.
Music therapy has been practiced since the mid-20th century. However, research on its effectiveness is still scarce. Studies are likely to become more common as health systems increasingly seek non-pharmaceutical alternatives for pain reduction and management of mental health disorders.
Can Music Therapy Become Part of Conventional Medicine? The University Hospitals Connor Whole Health system study shows that music therapy can be integrated throughout hospital departments, and offer holistic support to patients across a diverse range of medical units.
Its recent study, which used the Electronic Health Record database as its primary source, is the largest observational study of music therapy to date. It documented the extent to which musical therapy was used across hospitals and which patients were being treated.
To explain the unique nature of this research, co-investigator Samuel Rodgers-Melnick noted, "In addition to the size of the dataset, this descriptive study is also novel in that it demonstrates our ability to use the electronic health record as a research tool." Repurposing health records into a research tool allowed the hospital to gather a larger amount of data.
The study reveals diverse patient profiles benefiting from music therapy. The most common conditions referred to music therapy were related to mental health, but patients were also referred for cardiovascular, respiratory, and muscular conditions.
This suggests that any individual has the potential to respond well to music therapy regardless of their background or individual health challenges. University Hospitals' holistic integration of the music therapy program across its medical centers shows the potential for a comprehensive healing approach.
Conclusion
The University Hospitals studies demonstrate the potential for data-driven investigation, utilizing electronic health records as a research tool. Its findings not only highlight the versatility of music therapy but also its application across different medical units. This holistic approach acknowledges the interconnected nature of health.
Research suggests that music therapy can be a valuable complement to traditional medicine. As new holistic therapies such as music therapy continue to gain acceptance, further research and evaluation of their effectiveness is increasingly important.
Sources
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
This article was originally published in Certainty News: www.certaintynews.com/article/the-rise-of-music-therapy-to-treat-stress-pain-and-trauma
Discover What Grows Wealth with Minimum Effort & Minimum Risk
