Isolation In Music Therapy

Words: 2373
Pages: 10
Open Document
Could you imagine being stuck in isolation, unable to remember anything? That is often the experience of someone with a neurodegenerative disease like Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. Elderly, alone, and feeling misunderstood. However, a type of therapy involving music has made strides in combating such symptoms. Music therapy has been able to increase the ability to communicate, even in those who have severe dementia, and ease the anxieties a person with these diseases may have (Ridder). Being able to escape the feelings of isolation can all over increase the quality of life, all of which music therapy has aided to. In our society, we can often seen articles about elderly loneliness and the devastating effects it can have - and culturally, …show more content…
For example, just listening to music. In a 6-month study of two groups - both with alzheimer’s disease - a control group in which did not listen to music, and the other who did listen to music daily. Those with neurodegeneration often have to take a test called “Cognitive Abilities Screening Instrument” and “Mini-Mental State Evaluation” to monitor their disease, and in the group which listened to music, the scores decreased less over the time versus those who did not listen to music (Fang, Rong, et al. 2). The next type of music therapy technique is having the patients sing. In one study, 10 people with alzheimer’s disease sang for 6 months (Fang, Rong, et al. 2). This singing showed that after this time, the “neuropsychiatric” symptoms improved - symptoms such as depression or anxiety, and that using music can also recall memories for the patient (Fang, Rong, et al. 2). Finally, another type of music therapy is using music accompanied by dancing or playing instruments. This includes having patients play music while they listen to the music, or dancing with others. It would relieve neuropsychiatric symptoms for these patients, making a positive influence over time (Fang, Rong, et al. …show more content…
Elizabeth Stegemöller, a music therapist, delved into the science behind music therapy. One of the main ways music therapy works to improve a patient is that there is a social connection between the therapist and the client, as having a social outlet for those suffering with dementia or alzheimer’s can help with their depression or anxiety (Stegemöller). She also talks about how the main goal of music therapy is to make behavioral changes in a patient, which are controlled by changes in the brain - mainly, in “neuroplasticity” (Stegemöller). Neuroplasticity is “ the ability of the brain to change throughout a person’s life span as a consequence of sensory input, motor action, reward, or awareness” (Stegemöller). There are two main parts of neuroplasticity in regards to a developing brain which is reward circuitry and the “Hebbian theory” (Stegemöller). The reward center works with dopamine and endorphins, chemicals meant to improve our mood and energy. Dopamine increases the pleasure receptors and is viewed as a “reward”, and it releases while listening to music a person finds pleasing (Montgomery). Along those lines, endorphins offer a feeling of euphoria and a positive state of mind, and can often relieve pain that a person may be feeling (Montgomery). So, music taps into the “reward pathways”, and that is why music therapy is able to increase the health of those
Show More

Related Documents: Isolation In Music Therapy

Depression: Music Therapy

Treatments of depression range from medicinal therapy to more holistic methods of talk therapy. An up-and-coming treatment method of this illness is a new method known as music therapy. Therapists utilize the vibrations and the subconscious cues music conveys to evoke trust and emotional vulnerability in their patients. As a result of music therapy’s physical and mental soothing effects, it can…

Words 829 - Pages 4

The Power of Music Therapy Essay

wonder why a song may bring tears to your eyes? Or how music allows you to recall a specific memory of your past? Well others have thought of the same questions and actually have been able to harness the power of music and direct it toward healthcare. This practice is known today as Music Therapy. Music Therapy is the prescribed use of music and music related techniques to assist and motivate a person towards specific, nonmusical goals. Music therapists use their training to effect changes in the…

Words 999 - Pages 4

Major Tenets Of Logo Therapy

Logo therapy was founded by Viktor Frankl and he coined the term in Vienna, Austria, in the 1920s “Existenzanalyse as an alternative name for logo therapy” (Frankl, 1967, p. 138). As logo therapy spread to America, the American authors used the term “existential analysis”. Frankl stood by his terminology and utilized logo therapy as a medical ministry, which was used for cases where many thought therapy was impossible. Patients who were facing death through terminal diseases logo therapy was implemented…

Words 1433 - Pages 6

Evidence Based Practice Assignment

Recreational Therapy and Evidence-Based Practice Assignment. Step 1 Formulate a clear clinical research question. Propose a PICO question/idea. In older adults with dementia living in long-term care (P), how does participation in a music therapy program (I) compared to standard care (C) affect agitation and anxiety levels (O)? B. Identify the search terms and conditions. You should have at least 3 terms for each category. For example, for the population category you might use older adults (as…

Words 1937 - Pages 8

Essay Existential and Expressive Arts Therapy

Existential and Expressive Arts Therapy Saré Gebhardt GEXTH 5102.01 Karen Estrella November 30, 2008 Sometime in the late eighties, Shaun McNiff, Sr. Kathleen Burke and I sat in a small pub in Cleveland, Ohio. It was after midnight when conversation turned to my writing project, this book. Sr. Kathleen asked, “What’s the title going to be?” “Well,” I replied, “the working title is Existential Art Therapy.” Shaun sighed. “Bruce, don’t be redundant. All art is existential.” …I have…

Words 1781 - Pages 8

Stuttering Research Paper

she declared conferences every week. So, in Meagan’s mind it is for as long as she can remember When she was four, that is when Megan was diagnosed with stuttering issue and started going to therapy in the 1st grade after the school finally hired an SLP. When she is around a coffee shop, listening or singing music, reading a book on the beach, or hanging out with her friends on the quad she does not struggling with stuttering at all. Yet, when she is with her family or giving a huge report in front…

Words 1048 - Pages 5

Essay about A Descriptive Study of the Practice of Music Therapy in Hong Kong

KONG BAPTIST UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY OF THE PRACTICE OF MUSIC THERAPY IN HONG KONG By LAM HOI YAN April, 2007 04002865 ABSTRACT The purpose of the study was to examine the development of music therapy in Hong Kong. Specifically, a number of related issues were studied including definition of music therapy, the origin of music therapy, the recent developments in music therapy in China, establishment of a music therapy session, and the setting of therapeutic…

Words 17366 - Pages 70

Dementia Case Study Essay

Cotelli, (2012) claims using objects can help individuals to recall their past experiences in order to stimulate positive emotion. Thompson, (2011) claims reminiscence therapy may re-emerge an individual’s personality and when engaging in meaningful life story work it enables individuals to build on their strengths they have in terms of their long term memory which provides them with a sense of achievement. The individual…

Words 746 - Pages 3

jazz dance Essay

and cultural changes. Jazz dance has been greatly influenced by social dance and popular music. But, like so much that is “from America”, the history of jazz dance begins somewhere else. The origins of jazz music and dance are found in the rhythms and movements brought to America by African slaves. The style of African dance is earthy; low, knees bent, pulsating body movements emphasized by body isolations and hand-clapping. As slaves forced into America, starting during the 1600’s, Africans from…

Words 2766 - Pages 12

formative assignment Essay

Recovery has become the main focus point within Mental Health Nursing. For someone to recover is not the same as someone rehabilitating themselves. Having a mental health problem means that there is no way of going back to the way things were before the difficulties started, but it is important to remember that a mental health illness is not the end of someone’s life (Norman & Ryrie, 2004). According to Anthony (1993) recovery is personal to the service user and is a process that is unique and…

Words 3495 - Pages 14