What is music? Is it a form of art, an expressive masterpiece, or a therapeutic treatment? For a long time, I saw music as purely performative — a way to entertain and express. But over time, I realised that my dedication to music went deeper than just for show; it was a form of escape, an unrecognised tool for maintaining my mental health.
My interest in this field truly ignited when I met a woman with schizophrenia, a condition that impacts thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. She told me that the only way to drown out the voices from her hallucinations was to sing and listen to loud music. Witnessing the impact music had on her symptoms made me wonder: could music therapy be a lifeline for others as well?
In this piece, I will explore how musical creativity can enhance mental health, delving into the power of music as a therapeutic tool.
The Science of Sound
Music therapy is a unique, evidence-based approach that uses music to help people reach their health and wellness goals. It can look different depending on the individual — sometimes it involves actively making music, like singing or playing an instrument, and other times it can be based on listening to music and focusing on the experience. Music therapy is able to stimulate brain functions involved in movement, cognition, speech, emotions, and sensory perceptions.
But how does it work? It all comes down to how music interacts with the brain. Research shows that listening to or creating music releases ‘feel-good’ chemicals like dopamine and naturally occurring opioids, which help lift mood and reduce stress. When we engage with music, it results in the activation of various brain structures — regions linked to memory, emotion, and even movement. More holistic approaches such as the use of music can impact people in ways that regular talk therapy cannot, particularly for those dealing with cognitive or motor challenges.
The use of music, for more than performance, can be dated back to thousands of years ago, with music and sound playing a significant role in spiritual and healing practices across cultures. Religious traditions have recognised music as a tool for well-being, with examples like Gregorian chants in Christian monasteries, intended to elevate the soul, and Shamanic drumming (rhythmic drumming) in Indigenous ceremonies to induce meditative or trance states. Another form, Tibetan and Himalayan singing bowl therapy, uses harmonic vibrations from metallic or crystal bowls. This encourages relaxation and mindfulness, aligns the body’s energy, and reduces stress, as well as physical impacts such as breathing regulation and blood pressure reduction. Singing bowl therapy, introduced to Western culture by Peter Hess, is still used in the 21st century as a form of meditative practice.
In the early 20th century, particularly after World Wars I and II, musicians played for soldiers recovering from physical and emotional stress. The positive impact on morale and healing was noticed, inspiring the development of music therapy programmes, and leading to the establishment of professional organisations like the American Music Therapy Association. These traditional methods are now combined with contemporary science in music therapy, which provides a method of applying music to promote mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
Composing Targeted Therapies
Anxiety and Depression
Music therapy has emerged as a powerful tool for alleviating symptoms of anxiety and depression, significantly reducing stress levels, and promoting emotional well-being. A meta-analysis found that music interventions can lead to a decrease in anxiety and depression symptoms, with the greatest effects observed in individuals who participated regularly. The soothing properties of music can activate the brain's reward centres, enhancing feelings of pleasure and relaxation. Performing and practising music in a group setting also encourages participants to communicate with others, thus promoting a more social setting, which can increase mental health. Music therapy encourages individuals to express their feelings by providing an emotional outlet, thus facilitating healing.
Memory and Dementia
Music therapy has also proven effective in supporting individuals with cognitive disorders, particularly Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. This is thanks to music's ability to trigger memories and emotions, making it a powerful tool for recall.
When I worked for a Singing For Lung Health Choir, the primary purpose of the choir was to improve symptoms of pulmonary disorders such as COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder). However, a vital secondary impact was memory improvement; all participants were over 60 years old, and most suffered from memory loss. Singing requires active use of memory due to the demand of repeating tunes, rhythms, and lyrics. Songs can also promote memories by triggering links to a past experience or person. In these ways, musical activities uniquely stimulate memory and emotion in the brain, thus providing a therapeutic tool for cognitive reinforcement in individuals with memory loss.
Psychosis and Schizophrenia
For individuals managing schizophrenia or psychotic disorder, music therapy can help mitigate auditory hallucinations (hearing sounds and voices that are not there). Research indicates that music can serve as a grounding tool, providing a sense of reality and focus. A study demonstrated that participants using classical music therapy experienced reduced auditory hallucinations. Most studies investigating this seem to use classical music — I would like to see future research in this field exploring the impact of different musical genres or using patients’ preferred music style to see if musical nostalgia or favouritism could also impact symptom mitigation.
Motor Skills
In individuals with neurophysiological motor disorders like Parkinson’s disease, music therapy can play a vital role in improving motor function. For example, the rhythmic elements of music help to enhance motor skills through techniques such as rhythmic auditory stimulation (RAS). In a three-week at-home-based RAS training programme, patients showed improvement in their "gait velocity" (walking speed) by 25% and stride length by 12% compared to those who participated in a self-paced programme who showed a 7% increase in their gait velocity. The rhythm and beats in music can serve as cues, aiding in movement initiation and coordination, and helping individuals regain confidence in their motor abilities.
Music is a powerful tool for connection and healing, it allows us to use the influence of sound to treat a range of mental, emotional, and physical issues. The development of research in this field shows an increasing body of studies supporting the therapeutic effects of music. I believe that its full potential has not yet been reached, with evidence already ranging from boosting motor abilities and memory recall to reducing the symptoms of sadness and anxiety.
In the future, music therapy should adopt a multidisciplinary strategy, integrating conventional and holistic techniques under the direction of neuroscientific research.
Combining music therapy into healthcare practices honours its historical roots and paves the way for innovative treatments. In addition to becoming widely accepted, I see music therapy being incorporated into treatment plans alongside other artistic mediums like dance, art, and meditation. This collaboration will empower people, providing a greater sense of agency in recovery but also in general health, providing a comprehensive model of wellness.