After the music therapy session the students will be able to 1.

Define what music therapy is and how it can improve the condition of the patient. 2. Demonstrate therapeutic communication skills with pateint interaction. 3. Develop better understanding of the beneficial effects music therapy. Music Therapy is used with schizophrenic patients to ameliorate many of the symptoms of the disorder. Individual studies of patients undergoing Music Therapy showed diminished negative symptomssuch as flattened affect, speech issues, and anhedonia and improved social symptoms, such as increased conversation ability, reduced social isolation, and increased interest in external events.[42] Meta-studies have confirmed many of these results, showing that Music Therapy in addition to standard care to be superior to standard care alone. Improvements were seen in negative symptoms, general mental state, depression, anxiety, and even cognitive functioning. These meta-studies have also shown, however, that these results can be inconsistent and depend heavily on both the quality and number of therapy sessions.[43]

"Music Therapy is an established healthcare profession that uses music to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals" for Hearts for Hospice (www.musictherapy.org, 2006). A music therapist is not just a music performer, but actually trained in counseling and music. A music therapist creates goals and objectives for their patients and uses music activities and music experiences (listening, composition, improvisation, or playing/singing a familiar song) in order to achieve those goals. Although music therapists work with various populations, when working in the hospice setting, goals for music therapy may include, but are not limited to:

Stress management Pain relief Expression of emotion Reminiscence Life Review Breathing control Improved self-esteem Higher social interaction