Impact of Music and Music Therapy on Health and Wellbeing

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Music Therapy Faculty, Augsburg University, Minneapolis, MN 55454, USA
Interests: music therapy; wellbeing; trauma-informed practice

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Music has long been an integral resource for fostering health and wellbeing from primitive and Indigenous cultures to current and emerging practices. Music is a human experience that individuals across the lifespan can engage in and with. Music is also often a shared experience with groups and communities as well, fostering a sense of connection and belonging. Our collective experience of music further impacts its effect on health and wellbeing.

These multifaceted and unique features of music have prompted clinicians and researchers to explore and examine the role that music and music therapy plays in fostering aspects of health and wellbeing. This work ranges from the various ways human beings engage in experiencing, making, and creating music to how these different types of music experiences impact all the different dimensions of health and wellbeing.

Furthermore, thanks to technological advancements in mobile devices, digital music tools, streaming platforms, and adaptive devices, music has become more accessible than ever before. These have made music more accessible for everyday use and for research interventions alike. Advances in science have also propelled our understanding of the physiological and psychological impact of music.  

In this Special Issue, we will focus on the many ways that music and music therapy are integral to fostering health and wellbeing with clients across the lifespan in healthcare and community-based settings. This issue will explore the myriad ways that music serves as a health resource supporting the many dimensions of wellbeing.

Best Regards,

Dr. Annie Heiderscheit
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • music therapy
  • music
  • health and wellbeing

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 1879 KiB  
Article
Acute Relaxation Response Induced by Tibetan Singing Bowl Sounds: A Randomized Controlled Trial
by Cristobal Rio-Alamos, Rodrigo Montefusco-Siegmund, Toni Cañete, Joaquín Sotomayor and Alberto Fernandez-Teruel
Eur. J. Investig. Health Psychol. Educ. 2023, 13(2), 317-330; https://doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe13020024 - 29 Jan 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 5157
Abstract
The prevalence of anxiety has increased dramatically due to COVID-19, so effective preventive interventions are welcome. The main objective of our study was to compare the acute relaxation response (RR) induced by Tibetan singing bowl (TSB) sound-based treatment against progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) [...] Read more.
The prevalence of anxiety has increased dramatically due to COVID-19, so effective preventive interventions are welcome. The main objective of our study was to compare the acute relaxation response (RR) induced by Tibetan singing bowl (TSB) sound-based treatment against progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) and a control waiting list group (CWL) in a single treatment session in an adult nonclinical anxious population. In this cross-sectional randomized control trial, 50 participants selected based on high state anxiety were randomly assigned to one of the experimental groups. Pre/post self-reported anxiety, electroencephalographic activity (EEG), and heart rate variability (HRV) were recorded at baseline (T1), minute 15 (T2), minute 30 (T3), and minute 45 (T4). The TSB group showed significant reductions in alpha power (from T2 to T4) and increased HRV (from T3 to T4) compared with the PMR and CWL groups. Moreover, TSB and PMR both showed significant reductions in self-reported anxiety compared with CWL, with this effect being more evident in the TSB group. We concluded that a single session of TSB treatment was able to induce a more evident psychological/physiological relaxation response compared with PMR and CWL. TSB could be a relevant acute intervention in stressful situations or crisis intervention and while waiting for conventional interventions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact of Music and Music Therapy on Health and Wellbeing)
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11 pages, 277 KiB  
Article
Feasibility & Acceptability of Patient and Family Directed Active Music Making during Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplant Process
by Annie Heiderscheit
Eur. J. Investig. Health Psychol. Educ. 2022, 12(12), 1867-1877; https://doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe12120131 - 8 Dec 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1956
Abstract
(1) Background: Bone marrow transplant (BMT) is an aggressive and complex medical treatment for children with certain types of cancer and other diseases. The transplant process entails replacing the patient’s diseased bone marrow with the healthy marrow of a donor. During the course [...] Read more.
(1) Background: Bone marrow transplant (BMT) is an aggressive and complex medical treatment for children with certain types of cancer and other diseases. The transplant process entails replacing the patient’s diseased bone marrow with the healthy marrow of a donor. During the course of treatment, patients are isolated in their room to reduce the risk of infection. Patient’s experience a variety of symptoms and side effects during the process including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, mouth sores, fatigue, pain, discomfort, extreme muscle weakness, and emotional distress. Children often need a parent or caregiver present with them at all times throughout treatment. This process can cause significant stress and anxiety for the patient and their family. (2) Methods: This study explored the feasibility and acceptability of a patient and family directed active music making protocol during the BMT process. Ten patients, their parents, and family members participated in the study during the course of the BMT. (3) Results: Participants reported engaging in active music making 3–4 times per week and completed 121 journal forms reporting their music making experiences. They indicated using active music making to manage pain, discomfort, stress, anxiety, and boredom, foster relaxation and sleep, for enjoyment, and as a way to connect. (4) Conclusions: Patients, parents and family members reported feeling a sense of empowerment when engaged in making music to support their child or loved one. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact of Music and Music Therapy on Health and Wellbeing)
17 pages, 2311 KiB  
Article
Physiological Foundations for Religious Experiences in Devotional Worship Practices with Music Using Heart Rate and Respiration Rate Analyses
by Yoshija Walter and Andreas Altorfer
Eur. J. Investig. Health Psychol. Educ. 2022, 12(2), 127-143; https://doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe12020011 - 27 Jan 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3179
Abstract
The present study investigates the psychophysiological activation patterns of religious experiences in worship practices using Heart Rate (HR) and Respiratory Rate (RR) analyses. For this, 60 evangelical individuals participated in an experiment where they worshipped to six selected conditions and continuously indicated how [...] Read more.
The present study investigates the psychophysiological activation patterns of religious experiences in worship practices using Heart Rate (HR) and Respiratory Rate (RR) analyses. For this, 60 evangelical individuals participated in an experiment where they worshipped to six selected conditions and continuously indicated how strongly they sensed what they believed to be the presence of God. These ratings were correlated with the biometric data to indicate whether the experience has an activating effect on the believer’s vegetative system (activation hypothesis) or a soothing effect thereupon (pacification hypothesis). Statistical analyses showed that the psychological disposition during the religious worship experience speeds up the physiological responses, which was indicated by increases in HR and RR. Hence, the activation hypothesis was accepted, and the pacification hypothesis was rejected. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact of Music and Music Therapy on Health and Wellbeing)
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21 pages, 1167 KiB  
Protocol
The HOMESIDE Music Intervention: A Training Protocol for Family Carers of People Living with Dementia
by Helen Odell-Miller, Laura Blauth, Jodie Bloska, Anna A. Bukowska, Imogen N. Clark, Sarah Crabtree, Runa B. Engen, Solgunn Knardal, Tone K. Kvamme, Kate McMahon, Carina Petrowitz, Agnieszka Smrokowska-Reichmann, Karette Stensæth, Jeanette Tamplin, Thomas Wosch, Nina Wollersberger and Felicity A. Baker
Eur. J. Investig. Health Psychol. Educ. 2022, 12(12), 1812-1832; https://doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe12120127 - 4 Dec 2022
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3741
Abstract
Background: The number of people living with dementia (PwD) worldwide is expected to double every 20 years. Many continue living at home, receiving support from family caregivers who may experience significant stress, simultaneously to that of the PwD. Meaningful and effective home-based interventions [...] Read more.
Background: The number of people living with dementia (PwD) worldwide is expected to double every 20 years. Many continue living at home, receiving support from family caregivers who may experience significant stress, simultaneously to that of the PwD. Meaningful and effective home-based interventions to support PwD and their caregivers are needed. The development of a theory- and practice-driven online home-based music intervention (MI) is delivered by credentialed music therapists, nested within the HOMESIDE RCT trial. Methods: Dyads including the PwD and their family carer are randomised to MI, reading (RI) or standard care (SC). MI aims to support health wellbeing and quality of life by training caregivers to intentionally use music (singing, instrument playing, movement/dancing, and music listening) with their family member (PwD) in daily routines. MI is underpinned by cognitive, relational, social, and psychological theories of mechanisms of change. Results: Preliminary sub-cohort results analyses show MI can be delivered and is accepted well by participants and music-therapist interventionists across five countries. Conclusions: The specialist skills of a music therapist through MI enable carers to access music when music therapists are not present, to meet carer and PwD needs. Music therapists embrace this changing professional role, observing therapeutic change for members of the dyads. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact of Music and Music Therapy on Health and Wellbeing)
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