Chapter 21: Music Therapy

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Chapter 21Music Therapy

• Music acts like a magic key, to which the most
  tightly closed heart opens.
• - Maria Von Trapp

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Music Therapy

• Music therapy is defined as
• the systematic application of music by the music
  therapist
• to bring about helpful changes
• in the emotional or physical health of the
  client.
• and

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Music Therapy

• the ability to experience an altered state of
• physical arousal and subsequent mood
• by processing a progression of musical notes of
• varying tone,
• rhythm, and
• instrumentation
• for a pleasing effect.

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How music promotesthe relaxation effect

• Biochemical theory
• states that music is a sensory stimulus that is
• processed though the sense of hearing.
• Sound vibrations are chemically changed into
  nervous impulses that
• activate either the sympathetic or
• parasympathetic nervous system

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How musicpromotes the relaxation effect

• Entrainment theory
• suggests that oscillations produced by music are
• received by the human energy field and
• various physiological systems entrain with or
• match the hertz (oscillation) of the music

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How music promotesthe relaxation effect

• Metaphysical theory suggests
• that music is divine in nature.

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Music Therapy

• For music therapy to be fully effective as a
  relaxation technique
• it is best that the music be
• instrumental
• without lyrics

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Music Therapy

• Type of music selected
• listening environment
• posture, and
• attitude
• also affect the quality of the relaxation response