Information provided by: Cherie C. Binns RN BS MSCN
Out MS
By: Cathy Rivera, MS, MM, MT-BC
Most people can
remember a time when hearing music changed their mood or made them forget their
pains and troubles. However, present-day music therapy can do much more than
provide an emotional uplift. The directed use of music for therapy can produce
changes in mind and body that last beyond the therapy session. In addition,
music therapy can introduce methods of practicing functional skills in a way
that reduces the boredom or frustration that can accompany long-term
rehabilitation or adaptation training.
Using
music to promote health and healing
Studies
conducted at research centers worldwide, aided by recent advances in imaging
and scanning technologies, show that music directly stimulates the brain and it
can influence many brain-based behaviors, including moving, thinking, and
feeling.
Music used to
be classified only as a “right-brained” activity – basically an emotional
response. We now know that just listening to music stimulates areas in every
region of your brain. The simple tap of your foot is evidence of that.
Neurologic
music therapy (NMT) is an approach based on this brain research and uses
standardized, therapeutic techniques. A neurologic music therapist knows how to
select specific aspects of music to transform functional therapeutic exercises
into music experiences.
Cognitive
challenges resulting from brain injury, developmental delay, or progressive
diseases like multiple sclerosis, can also be addressed with therapeutic music
exercises. To improve cognitive function, the music therapist will use the
structure and organization of music to support exercises for memory and
attention.
The emotional
response to music is another important element. Studies suggest that
therapeutic music exercises decrease stress hormones and promote
neurotransmitters active in the brain’s pleasure center. Directed music
experiences can reduce the depression and anxiety that is part of a client’s
diagnosis or triggered by living with acute or chronic illness.
Sometimes music
therapy will help generate an emotional and creative self-expression in an
individual who has not responded to verbal therapies.
No
Music Experience Required
You do not have
to be a musician yourself, or even have experience playing music, to benefit
from music therapy. A board-certified music therapist is a trained musician
with knowledge of a wide spectrum of music styles and instruments. Whether you
are alone or in a group, the music therapy session helps you practice
functional tasks while listening, playing, vocalizing, or moving to music.
The experience
can be as passive as practicing progressive relaxation to music for pain or
stress relief. It also can be as active as doing range of motion exercises with
a drum and mallet or gait exercises (walking) to live or recorded music.
If what you
need most is to be supported in expressing what may be difficult to talk about,
you might be directed to write song lyrics or create improvisational music.
Like all therapy, music therapy requires effort and commitment by the
participant, but with the musical element included, it is also likely to be
enjoyable and satisfying.
Finding
a qualified music therapist
To become a
board-certified music therapist, an individual is required to complete a
four-year and/or graduate – level academic program, complete a six-month
supervised internship, and then pass an exam to become certified by the
national Certification Board for Music Therapists.
Many music
therapists work in collaboration with other therapy professionals as part of a
multi-disciplinary team. The techniques they use can be coded for reimbursement
by some medical insurance plans.
You can find
board-certified music therapists in schools, hospitals, outpatient clinics, and
through in-home service agencies. The American Music Therapy Association (www.musictherapy.org)
maintains a roster of board-certified music therapists all over the country. A
list of neurologic music therapists can be found at the website for the Center
for Biomedical Research in Music at www.colostate.edu/dept/cbrm.
Cathy
Rivera received bachelor and master’s degrees in science at the University of
California, Davis. She completed a master’s degree in music therapy at Colorado
State University. Since 2001 she has worked as a research assistant or as a
staff therapist at rehabilitation and music therapy clinics. She works with
clients through a private practice in Monterey County, Calif. She is a Fellow
of Unkefer Academy of Neurologic Music Therapy. Learn more by visiting her
website at www.musicmindmusictherapy.com or by calling 831-915-7260.
(Last reviewed
10/2009)
