MUSIC THERAPY
WHAT IS IT?
Music therapy is the clinical use of music within a therapeutic relationship, where music helps to accomplish non-musical goals. It is a combination of music and science, applied by a therapist who uses individualised interventions to address psychological, physical, and social needs. More info: https://www.bamt.org/music-therapy/what-is-music-therapy
WHO IS IT FOR?
Within music therapy, music is a way of communication, a tool to express and evoke emotions and thoughts, and to facilitate social interactions. It is for everybody, regardless of previous music education, but particularly effective with people whose ability to speak is impaired due to illness or injury.
FORMS
Music therapists work with a wide range of clients within the social and healthcare sector, for example in hospitals, in psychiatric and rehabilitation units, in dementia care, and with people with learning disabilities. The form of the therapy depends on the individual needs, can be in group or individual settings, and can use active or receptive methods and their combinations.
MUSIC THERAPY AND DEMENTIA
The ability to engage with music remains in people with dementia since many regions involved in music processing are spared from degenerations (Jacobsen et al., 2015). Music is a safe and accessible way to manage the behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia.
Some of the benefits of music are:
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it modulates pain tolerance,
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encourages more food intake,
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facilitates social interactions and communication,
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evokes memories,
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stimulates cognitive functions,
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promotes physical activity (synchronous movements with music) and
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enhances self-identity and mood.
Depending on the severity and type of dementia (the most studied ones are Alzheimer's disease and Frontotemporal Dementia), patients require different music interventions. Whether a person with dementia is being looked after in a care home or at home, music can support the wellbeing of the carers and reduce caregiver burden as well.
Reference:
Baird, A., Garrido, S. & Tamplin, J. (Eds.). (2019). Music and Dementia: From Cognition to Therapy. Oxford University Press
Jacobsen, J-H., Stelzer, J., Fritz, T.H., Chételat, G., La Joie, R., & Turner, R. (2015). Why musical memory can be preserved in advanced Alzheimer's disease. Brain, 138, 2438-2450.
IMPROVISATION
Improvisation, the creative process of spontaneous music making is one of the main methods used by music therapists. To improve my own skills, I have started to record my improvisations, mostly on guitar and percussion instruments.