The Power of Music in Healing

By: Marlee Sidor
Editor: Ariana Sidman

Introduction:
There is little controversy surrounding the healing power of music. Whether it serves as an outlet for self-expression, a medium for connection , or a trigger for  memories in Alzheimer’s patients, music’s therapeutic abilities are far-reaching and deeply felt.

Image provided from the National Alliance on Mental Illness; “Music Therapy: More than Just Entertainment”

According to the History of Music in Healthcare, this practice can be traced back to Ancient Greece, where the connection between mind and body through healing sounds was emphasized. Indigenous communities also recognized the therapeutic benefits of music and its ability to promote well-being. The earliest known reference to music therapy as a treatment method appeared in literature as early as 1789.

In the 20th century, community musicians began visiting veterans’ hospitals across the United States, playing for those suffering from physical and emotional trauma after the wars. Patients responded positively, and doctors and nurses noticed improvements in their overall well-being.

Research in this field has only continued to grow. 13 of 14 studies found significant improvements in PTSD symptoms after some form of music therapy, emphasizing the potential for music to be an impactful treatment for traumatic stress and other conditions. 

How can musicians use music as therapy?
While formal music therapy requires working with a trained therapist, musicians can still apply similar techniques for personal healing and self-expression. Purposeful engagement with music can offer therapeutic benefits even outside of clinical settings.

For instance, engage in mindful listening: while listening to or playing music, pay close attention to the lyrics and how they resonate with you. Try rewriting the lyrics to reflect your personal thoughts and feelings. This is a simple but powerful exercise for emotional release and introspection. 

Music as therapy today

Music therapy is a clinical, evidence-based practice where trained therapists use music to help individuals improve their mental, emotional, and physical health. It’s designed to achieve non-musical goals, such as promoting wellness, managing stress, alleviating pain, expressing feelings, and supporting physical rehabilitation. It’s important to distinguish clinical music therapy from simply listening to music for relaxation. To be considered clinical therapy, a qualified music therapist must lead the session within a therapeutic framework. Still, music therapy often works as a complementary treatment, supporting a larger care plan that could also include medications or other interventions. 

How does it work? Well, according to a study by Crystal C. Wang et al, “certain musical sounds activate regions of the brain responsible for feelings of pleasure and reward, while other sounds activate those linked to negative affect or anxiety states.” Thus, one’s mood can shift based on which brain regions are activated by the type of music listened to, contributing to the regulation of cognition, emotion, and overall well-being.

How does music therapy help the mind and body?
Music therapy has been found to engage the brain in several ways, boosting dopamine and serotonin levels while supporting cognitive function. According to the Cleveland Clinic, music therapy can aid those with acute and chronic brain conditions, including traumatic brain injuries and Parkinson’s Disease. It helps improve motor skills, memory, and overall quality of life, especially for patients with degenerative neurological disorders. For example, in a 2015 study, researchers found that music-based interventions significantly improved motor function in patients with Parkinson’s disease, with exact findings below:

There was a significant improvement in motor—and certain non-motor—outcomes after engaging with music as therapy.

What happens during a music therapy session?
During sessions, therapists guide patients in engaging with music in ways that help them meet personalized goals. This can include creating music, singing, playing instruments, moving to music, or simply listening and discussing lyrics. Each approach offers unique benefits, depending on the patient’s needs. 

There are two main approaches in music therapy:

(1) Music in therapy, where music is used as a tool in the broader therapeutic process. In this approach, patients actively engage by singing, playing an instrument, or composing music under the guidance of their therapist. For example, for some patients with speech impairments, singing can improve their speech recovery. In child therapy, playing instruments fosters self-expression, builds confidence, and enhances social interaction, further improving emotional and cognitive development.

(2)Music as therapy: The music itself becomes the therapy. Patients listen to recordings or live music provided by their therapist, and afterwards, engage in a facilitated discussion to process their thoughts and emotions. Listening to tailored playlists or guided sound therapy can aid in processing grief, PTSD, and depression, and live or recorded music can reduce pain perception and anxiety, and provide comfort, improving overall patient well-being. In a 2023 study on The Effectiveness of music therapy within community hospitals, it was found that “among sessions with complete pre- and post-session scores, clinically significant reductions in symptoms (ie, ≥1 unit) were reported by 76.3% of patients reporting pain, 91.9% of patients reporting anxiety, and 95.4% of patients reporting stress. Reductions of ≥2 units were reported by 51.1% of patients reporting pain, 84.9% of patients reporting anxiety, and 90.2% of patients reporting stress.” Essentially, the vast majority of patients experienced substantial emotional and physical relief, with music therapy proving particularly effective in reducing stress and anxiety symptoms.

Creatives Care is a community of artists, providers, and supporters securing the future of the arts by providing free services to help artists access affordable, high-quality mental healthcare. We help artists obtain the resources, however we do not directly provide music therapy.

Sources

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/8817-music-therapy 

https://www.musictherapy.org/research/factsheets/ 

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8582661/ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9139247/ 

https://imageryandmusic.com/music-therapy-mythbusters/ 

Music Interventions for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Harmony and Healing: History of Music in Healthcare

Effectiveness of music therapy within community hospitals: an EMMPIRE retrospective study

Music therapy interventions in Parkinson’s disease: the state-of-the-art

https://www.nami.org/people/music-therapy-more-than-just-entertainment/