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Music TherapyHow Does Music Therapy Help Patients?Music therapy helps patients with their cognitive functions, social skills and motor skills. Research has shown that listening to music can cause a calming effect and this has been proven to be especially true in the case of students listening to music to help them study. Music therapy has also been shown to have a positive effect on stroke patients. It is also a beneficial form of treatment for anyone who suffers from stress or anxiety. Children with special needs can also be helped through this form of therapy.Qualifications for a Music TherapistYou cannot qualify as a music therapist just because you have a love of music. In order to qualify you must take a specific degree course and also be able to play a number of musical instruments (most notably the piano and the guitar). Some colleges offer specialty courses and degrees in music therapy although many qualified therapists will have taken a number of different courses. Music therapy courses require a lot of theory to be studied and the exact qualifications required will vary from state to state and country to country. Music therapists may also have to undergo a background check before they will be able to practice their skill.Music Therapy for ChildrenMusic therapy for children can be carried out in a number of ways and can either be as part of a group session or on an individual basis. Quite often children will find it easier to undergo this type of therapy in a group setting as the fact that they are receiving therapy will not be so obvious. Children taking part in music therapy will have goals and targets and these will enable the therapist to see how far the child is progressing compared to the amount of therapy given. The progress will be judged depending on both the level of the child's communication and the change in their behavior. Music therapy is great for children who are easily distracted and has been proven to be more effective in children than adults.Musical Therapy Treatment TechniquesIt is a well known fact that music affects a part of our brains and so it is vital that music therapy uses the right kind of music -- it would be a bad idea to treat a person suffering from depression with music that is "dark" and could make them worse. Different types of music will have different effects on the patient and pieces can be added over time.Sufferers of heart disease may find that soothing music helps to calm them and slow down their heart rates -- thus decreasing their blood pressure. Research into patients with epilepsy showed that when they listened to Mozart's piano sonata K448 they were less likely to have an epileptic seizure. No matter what the reason as to why music therapy helps patients with mental or physical health problems, the therapy is applauded by many people throughout the world. You are advised however that this form of therapy should only ever be used as an addition to a doctor's treatment and not instead of it. Speaking to your doctor before you undergo any form of alternative therapy is always a good idea. Also Read: |