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Tryana Cervantes

ENGL 1302-231

Dr. Sharity Nelson

12 April 2024

Music Therapy as a Treatment For Mental Illnesses

Music has been a valuable companion for humanity, because through it, each individual

can be reflected. Many scholars like Liebowitz Beck, Govindan, Lu and Petrini, have conducted

a multitude of research regarding the significant impact music has for treating health issues. The

majority of the results had a positive impact on each of the patients, and therefore it is reaffirmed

that music therapy should become a common method for treating mental health, anxiety, children

disabilities, and surgical patients.

Mental Health

For instance, musical treatment has emerged as a compelling therapeutic modality for

addressing various aspects of mental health, hanessing the profound impact of music on

emotions, cognition, and physiological states. Specifically, there is a leverage in neurobiological

mechanisms of music to modulate emotions, reduce stress responses, and enhance overall

well-being. Scholar Liebowitz, et al. references Gardstrom’s research, which details that there

has been a long documentation of the positive impact “of music on promoting health and overall

physical, mental, and emotional well-being, as well as increasingly demonstrating “the benefits

of active music making for individuals with psychiatric disabilities” (137). Therefore, the author

presents the musical method in a positive way from the beginning, because this treatment had

already been implemented before, but had gone unnoticed. The focus and dedication from

Liebowitz, et al. has been for over decades, as “US troops have been stationed in Iraq,
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Afghanistan, and Pakistan as part of the War on Terror” (139). Service members endure both

physical and psychological, leading to significant consequences such as mental health

difficulties, which can subsequently lead to substance abuse and homelessness due to the

conflict. There has been a long documentation of “the benefits of music on promoting health and

overall physical, mental and emotional well-being, as well as increasingly demonstrating the

benefits of active music making for individuals with psychiatric disabilities” (137). This implies

that music therapy provides patients with treatment without the use of medication, something

different from the usual therapy. However, the results of music therapy end up being much more

beneficial, because as Liebowitz, et al. now references Grocke, it is stated “group music making

activities provide joy, improve quality of life and address issues such as coping, anger, and low

self-esteem” (137). Many genres are offered and executed at the highest level for populations

with limited entry to the arts. The program model consists of an acomprehensive program of

concerns and collaborative classes. Music students as instructional leaders for veterans in a choir

provide veterans a way to express their thoughs in their own language and words. During the

course of the musical therapies at no time was there any mention of the veterans taking

pre-prescribed medication, on the contrary, they felt so fulfilled in the musical choir that they

were able to enrich their lives with each of the sessions. In conclusion, choir activities provide

veterans opportunities to engage with other community members, the same a sense of belonging

helped them to work with others, and of course the enjoyment that they felt, changed their

circumstances (146). Meanwhile, author Beck, et al. conducted a study involving a

phase-oriented trauma therapy course consisting of 19 weekly one-hour sessions. During these

sessions, music therapy was utilized for 5-20 minutes, and patients were either seated or reclined

while psychologists attentively listened to their traumatic experiences (5). The World Federation
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of Music Therapy identifies music therapy as a reliable implementation of music and its

components in various contexts, including medical, educational, and daily settings. It aims to

enhance one’s status of life and upgrade their “physical, social, communicative, emotional,

intellectual, and spiritual well-being” for individuals, groups, families, and communities (Beck,

et al. 3). As a result, author Beck, et al. states by Carr “music therapy to waitlists controls have

demonstrated a reduction of trauma symptoms” without the use of pharmacological treatment.

(10). In summary, the integration of music therapy into trauma treatment holds promise, offering

a holistic and non-invasive avenue for healing and well-being.

Anxiety

Simultaneously, musical interventions offer a promising non’pharmacological strategy

for managing anxiety by harnessing music’s neurobiological mechanisms to modulate emotions

and reduce stress responses. The following studies conducted detail the effectiveness of

intervention for reducing anxiety symptoms among specific populations. Scholars Liu and

Genqiang stated music therapy interventions were examined for college students with excessive

anxiety, while scholars Silvia and author Kwok study focused on a protocol “integrating positive

psychology and music therapy for adolescents” with anxiety symptoms (1). Additionally, both

studies utilized a randomized controlled trial design to evaluate the intervention. They recruited

participants from specific demographic groups (college students in Central China and Grade 8 to

9 students in secondary schools in Hong Kong) and randomly assigned them to intervention and

control groups. Both studies found significant improvements in various outcome measures

related to mental health and well-being. The first study reported reductions in anxiety scores

among college students receiving music therapy intervention, while the second study observed

increases in hope, emotional competence, and subjective happiness, along with decreases in
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anxiety symptoms, among adolescents participating in the integrated intervention. Furthermore,

both studies highlighted the importance of specific factors in influencing the effectiveness of the

interventions. The first study identified factors such as gender, major, and therapy type, while the

second study emphasized the role of hope in the relationship between the intervention and

changes in anxiety symptoms and subjective happiness. Overall, both studies contribute to the

understanding of how music therapy, along with other psychological approaches, can be

beneficial in addressing anxiety and promoting well-being among different populations.

Children

Meanwhile, exploring the efficacy of musical treatment as an intervention for children

with social skills disorder and behavioral problems reveals promising outcomes in enhancing

social interaction, emotional regulation, and overall behavior. At this time, music therapy among

children with behavioral and deficiency in social skills has been observed to be effective. Scholar

Govindan, et al. describes a study focused on evaluating the effectiveness of a music add-on

therapy for managing behavioral problems in children aged 6 to 12 years. The researchers

utilized a randomized controlled design, distributing 40 participants into experimental and

control groups (1). Throughout the study, both groups received treatment as usual, while the

experimental group additionally received music add-on intervention with eight Hindustani (a

group of mutually intelligible languages and dialects spoken in northwestern in India) ragas over

a period of three weeks. To assess the outcomes of the intervention, the researchers employed

several clinical outcome measures. These included the Children’s Global Assessment Scale

(CGAS), the Nisonger Child Behaviour Rating Form typical IQ version, and a visual analogue

scale (VAS) completed by parents to monitor behavioral improvement (274). The quantitative

analysis of these measures suggested notable enhancements on the experimental group compared
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to the control group. Specifically, authors Blanky-Voronov and Gilboa analyze a study focusing

on the “Ensemble” treatment, which is aimed to increase the efficiency of social skills in children

with deficiencies. The treatment involved 24 children spreaded out into four groups during the

one year that lasted the treatment (1). The researchers conducted both quantitative and qualitative

analyses to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention. The quantitative analysis was watching

different sessions and counting when one of the twelve typical oriented behaviors happened. The

results demonstrated an increased improvement on 9 out of 12 social skills throughout all of the

four “Ensemble” groups (6). Qualitative interviewers were conducted by mothers, teachers, and

people in charge of the kids before and after the treatment of the children. These more personal

interviewers showed the improvements shown during the different sessions were evident at a

home and scholar environment as well. Overall, both of these studies have proven that music

therapy has a high potential with interventions when they address behavioral problems and

deficiencies with social skills; additionally, they remark the importance of using a combination

of quantitative and qualitative methods to comprehensively assess the efficiency of such

interventions.

Surgical Patients

Last, but not least, utlizing musical treatment as an adjunct therapy for patints undergoing

surgical procedures shows potential in mitigating preoperative anxiety, promoting relaxation, and

improving postoperative recovery outcomes music therapy among thoracic and general surgery

has proven to be effective in relieving the stress and pain provided by operations. In addition,

scholar Liang, et al. states surgery anxiety is frequently observed in patients, especially in those

receiving non general anesthesia, as various stimuli during the surgery can be perceptible (2).

Fortunately, as scholar Liang, et al. stated by Fu, they concluded that music is able to diminish
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the neuroendocrine stress response generated by surgery as well as improve postoperative

satisfaction (3). On the other hand, as scholars Liu and Petrini stated “anxiety is a psychological

disorder that can cause many adverse effects'' (714). Scholars Liu and Petrini, also describe the

consequences of anxiety during a surgical treatment such as: elevated heart rate, fatigue, loss

appetite and weight, difficulty to sleep, etc. Therefore, the statements previously presented by

scholar Liang, et al. and author Liu and Petrini give readers insight into the disadvantages that

anxiety brings to the patient when undergoing surgery. Not to mention that no matter what area

of surgery a patient may be in (thoracic, nasal, intestinal, etc.) stress can impact a patient's life

and the doctor’s process at the surgery. During the analysis by Liang, et al., the methods

implemented in the patients were verified through two characteristics: the subjective feelings

from patients and subjective observation conducted by medical personnel (2). Then, Lu and

Petrini were transferred to the MP3 player before the intervention, with earphones connected,

and volume was co-researcher prepare to the patient and environment (to avoid disturbance

everyone turned off cell phones, as also noises from the door), and tried patients to keep their

breathing smooth, relaxed, and focused on music (716). In consequence, during the procedures

previously mentioned, the patients of authors Lu and Petrini stated “the effectiveness of a 3-day

music intervention on patients’pain, anxiety, and vital signs” which helped the authors to

“relieve postoperative pain, help subjects feel less anxious and more relaxed” (716-717).

Understandably, both scholars try to be considerate and aware of the patients’ feelings, so that

the musical treatment procedure continues without limitations.

In conclusion, music therapy emerges as a powerful force in promoting holistic

well-being across various domains. Its impact extends beyond mere entertainment, reaching into

the realms of mental health, anxiety management, children’s disabilities, and even surgical
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treatment. Music therapy in mental health provides a safe and supportive environment for

healing trauma and building resilience. At the same time, the musical therapy in anxiety benefits

patients by decreasing their fears and without the use of medicines they can improve their mental

health. While with disabilities in children, the music tratment provides them an increase in their

social skills. Finally, the treatment for surgical procedures, music mitigates anxiety and promotes

calmness for the patients. Incorporating music therapy into clinical settings holds immense

promise. It not only enhances patient experiences but also accelerates healing, reduces trauma,

and fosters overall well being.

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Works Cited

Beck, B. D, et al. “Music Therapy was Noninferior to Verbal Standard Treatment of Traumatized

Refugges in Menta: Results from a randomized clinical trial.” European Journal Of

Psychotraumatology, vol. 12, no. 1, 2021, pp. 1-16. Taylor & Francis Journals Complete,

https://doi.org/10.1080/20008198.2021.1930960.

Blanky-Vornov, Raya, and Gilboa Avi. “The ‘Ensemble’ -A Group Music Therapy Treatmet for

Developing Preschool Children’s Social Skills .” International Journal of Environmental

Research and Public Health, vol. 19, no. 15, 2022, pp. 1-13. Health Research Premium

Collection, https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19159446.

Govindan, Radhakrishnan et al. “The Effectiveness of Nurses Implemented Music Add-on

Therapy in Children with Behavioral Problems.” Indian Journal of Psychological

Medicine, vol. 42, no. 3, 2020, pp. 274-279. DOAJ Directory of Open Access Journals,

10.4103/IJPSYM.IJPSYM_240_19.

Kwok, Sylvia YCL. "Integrating Positive Psychology and Elements of Music Therapy to

Alleviate Adolescent Anxiety." Research on Social Work Practice, vol. 29, no. 6, 2019,

pp. 664-676. Sage Journals, https://doi.org/10.1177/1049731518773423.

Liang, Jing, et al. “Applicaton Of Music Therapy in General Surgical Treatment.” BioMed

Researcn International, vol. 2021, 2021, pp. 1-5. Health Research Premium Collection,

https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/6169183.

Liebowitz, Marian et al. “Participatory Choral Music as a Means of Engagement in a Veterans’

Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Setting.” Arts and Health, vol. 7, no. 2, 2015,

pp.137-150. Taylor and Francis Journals Complete, 10.1080/17533015.2014.999246.

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Liu, Yang, and Marcia A. Petrini. "Effects of Music Therapy on Pain, Anxiety, and Vital Signs in

Patients After Thoracic Surgery." Complementary therapies in medicine, vol. 23, no. 5,

2015, pp. 715-718. National Library of Medicine, 10.1016/j.ctim.2015.08.002.

Sha, Liu, and Genqiang Li. “Analysis of the Effect of Music Therapy Interventions on College

Students with Excessive Anxiety.” Health Research Premium Collection, vol. 2023,

2023, pp.1-11. EBSCOhost, https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/3351918.