Impact Of Music Therapy On Stress Management

Abstract

Music, as an art form holds a special place in human culture. It encompasses a wide range of sounds and melodies that evoke emotions, thoughts, and memories. Traditional philosophies define music as tones ordered horizontally (as melodies) and vertically (as harmonies). Music theory, within this realm, is studied with the presupposition that music is orderly and often pleasant to hear. Music Therapy is the clinical & evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program. Studies suggest that those undergoing music therapy experience reduced anxiety immediately after the session, which indicates that music therapy could be a convenient way to reduce symptoms quickly. Studies also suggest that music therapy can improve symptoms of depression, with those undergoing music therapy along with standard treatments for depression such as talking therapy improving more than people who only received standard therapy. Chen, X., Wei, Q., Jing, R., & Fan, Y. (2021) conducted a study on cancer patients to investigate the effects of music therapy on stress and quality of life. The results indicated that music therapy interventions significantly reduced stress levels and enhanced the overall quality of life for cancer patients¹. In a study conducted by Shirsat, A., Jha, R. K., & Verma, P. (2023), researchers explored the impact of music therapy on individuals with Alzheimer's disease. They found that music therapy could be a powerful treatment strategy, improving cognitive function and emotional well-being in Alzheimer's patients². The importance of consulting qualified music therapists when implementing music therapy as a stress management tool will be emphasized. The findings and insights from this study, underlining the significance of music therapy in stress management for man and women are significant. The role of music therapy in fostering social connections and providing support will be explored, emphasizing its significance in stress management.