Music therapy in the treatment of cancer is a new method that helps reduce stress, pain, and discomfort for patients.
Highlights
How Music Therapy Works
Apart from the medical treatment that a patient receives, a professional music therapist will be involved in the additional treatment of the individual. These therapists plan a sequence or a pattern in which patients go through the treatment.
Music therapy can involve many activities. Listening to music, playing an instrument, writing lyrics, and singing songs are a few methods that involve musical therapy. It depends on what the patient would like to comply with.
These therapeutic sessions could last between 30 to 60 minutes.
To undergo this treatment, one does not need to be a professional. It just involves interest and willingness to help oneself.
Activities Involved
As mentioned above, the therapy can involve various aspects of music. Listening, singing, playing an instrument or writing lyrics. The choice of activity will also depend upon the patient and the therapist.
Listening to music can lead to a change in the mood of any individual. Therefore, listening to desired songs or soothing sounds of melody are the most common method used in this process.
Singing may not be for all. Only those who like to hum will consider this act. No professionalism will be involved, however.
A teacher might have to attend a session where playing an instrument is involved. The playing of instrument will happen like in a music class. This will help the individual be creative even when they are suffering.
Writing lyrics can help the patient bring out their feelings and emotions. It will lead to release of stress and pain because it involves brain work and distraction from everything else.
Benefits of the Treatment
Benefits of this treatment are very promising in terms of stress relief and pain reduction. However, a cure is less likely.
One of the major effects is that patients undergoing musical treatment can reduce their stress. Cancer is a stressful disease and it can break a person psychologically. Involvement is an activity like music can help reduce the stress, because it will act like an outlet to it. To remain idle will only lead to the patient worrying about their health condition.
Self-expression is another important factor which the patients undergo while being involved in the treatment. For example, a person who writes lyrics will express themselves through their lyrics. When this occurs, the person can channel their thoughts away from negativity and pain.
Comfort derived from an activity, especially when a person is sick, can be a heart-warming experience. Patients also experience comfort when they involve themselves by listening to music, singing, or playing an instrument.
The feeling of comfort and being creative instils a positive energy in the individual.
There are a few physical benefits of this treatment. One of the major contributors is that this treatment leads to reduced heart-rate and respiratory rates, which are beneficial for patients. Blood pressure, too, decreases, as it helps in distraction from stress.
Effects of the therapy on the Patient and Caregivers
Usually, family members of a patient and caregivers experience the same discomfort and pain along with the patient. Involvement of caregivers and family members in the musical therapy can be a positive element.
Caregivers can indulge in the activity with the patient. When this happens, they build a strong connection and going through the sickness becomes easier. It gives the caregivers a sense of empowerment. They can enjoy an activity with their loved ones.
Unfortunately, if the patient dies, the caregiver or family member will have created memories for them to cherish.
