Music as a Medicine for Brain
Music as a Medicine for Brain
HCM 930 – 2 Mental Health and Wellbeing
Instructor: Barbara Arnoldussen
FALL 2010
PRIYADARSHINI SHANKARANARAYANAN
INTERNATIONAL TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
FALL 2010
INTRODUCTION
Music is a universal phenomenon spanning all cultures, and is the most social of the arts. There is no one definition to describe this term. Its term changes with each individual’s perspective. Some find it as the rhythmic vibrations of sound, some describe it purely as an art form, some feel it creates emotions and interacts with the emotions we already feel, or, some associate it with the process of healing. Music therapy, a biofeedback or a coping technique instituted in the allied health profession, uses music to promote healing and enhance the quality of life in patients. It has been used for decades as a way to treat neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, Anxiety and even Depression [1]. There have also been attempts to translate EEG data into music [2]. Also, studies show that rhythm of music tends stimulates brain waves based on the tempo, with a slow tempo promoting a calm and meditative state.
HISTORY OF MUSIC IN HEALTHCARE
The therapeutic value of music has been recognized since ancient times. Archaeological evidence showing flutes carved from bones, suggests music preceded language as a tool for communication [3], [2]. Greek physicians used flute, lyres and zitters to heal their patients and used vibrations produced by these instruments to aid in digestion, induce sleep and ward off mental disturbances [4]. Even the Greek philosopher Pythagoras, who is considered the founder of music therapy and geometry prescribed music to restore harmony of the body and soul [3]. Early Egyptians also, used musical incantations for the healing process. Native Americans and Africans used singing and chanting as a part of their healing ritual [5]. Robert Brown (1773-1858), a Botanist, described the Brownian movement – Protoplasmic
HCM 930 – 2 Mental Health and Wellbeing
Instructor: Barbara Arnoldussen
FALL 2010
PRIYADARSHINI SHANKARANARAYANAN
INTERNATIONAL TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
FALL 2010
INTRODUCTION
Music is a universal phenomenon spanning all cultures, and is the most social of the arts. There is no one definition to describe this term. Its term changes with each individual’s perspective. Some find it as the rhythmic vibrations of sound, some describe it purely as an art form, some feel it creates emotions and interacts with the emotions we already feel, or, some associate it with the process of healing. Music therapy, a biofeedback or a coping technique instituted in the allied health profession, uses music to promote healing and enhance the quality of life in patients. It has been used for decades as a way to treat neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, Anxiety and even Depression [1]. There have also been attempts to translate EEG data into music [2]. Also, studies show that rhythm of music tends stimulates brain waves based on the tempo, with a slow tempo promoting a calm and meditative state.
HISTORY OF MUSIC IN HEALTHCARE
The therapeutic value of music has been recognized since ancient times. Archaeological evidence showing flutes carved from bones, suggests music preceded language as a tool for communication [3], [2]. Greek physicians used flute, lyres and zitters to heal their patients and used vibrations produced by these instruments to aid in digestion, induce sleep and ward off mental disturbances [4]. Even the Greek philosopher Pythagoras, who is considered the founder of music therapy and geometry prescribed music to restore harmony of the body and soul [3]. Early Egyptians also, used musical incantations for the healing process. Native Americans and Africans used singing and chanting as a part of their healing ritual [5]. Robert Brown (1773-1858), a Botanist, described the Brownian movement – Protoplasmic
References: [2] Wu D, Li C, Yin Y, Zhou C, Yao D. Music composition from the brain signal: representing the mental state by music. Comput Intell Neurosci. 2010:267671. Epub 2010 Mar 11.[PubMed] [3] Nilsson, Ulrica [6] Evans, H.M. Medicine and music: Three relations considered. J Med Humanity (2007) 28:135-148.[PubMed] [7] Le Roux, Gordon Marc [8] Lew, Kristi. Brain Music Therapy. American Fitness, May/June (2006): 26-27.[PubMed] [9] Schlaug G, Norton A, Marchina S, Zipse L, Wan CY [10] Antonietti, Alessandro. Why is music effective in rehabilitation? Department of Psychology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Milano, Italy. IOS Press, 2009, pp.179-194.[PubMed] REFERENCE AND RESOURCES (CONTD.) [13] Seaward, Brian Luke. Managing Stress: Principles and strategies for health and wellbeing. Jones and Bartlett Publishers, Sudbury, MA, 2009. [14] Matthew B, Chang C, De May M, Miller B. Pleasurable Emotional Response to Music: A Case of Neurodegenerative Generalized Auditory Agnosia. Neurocase. 2009 Jun; 15(3):248-259.[PubMed] [15] Cromie, William J [16] Lavitin, Daniel J. This is your brain on music: the science of human obsession. Dutton, Penguin group Inc., New York, 2006. [19] J.S. Brunner et al., Studies in cognitive growth, Wiley, New York, 1966. [20] Bradt J, Dileo C. Music therapy for end-of-life care. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2010 Jan 20 ; (1).[PubMed] OPINION