music therapy is the systematic application of music
in the treatment of thephysiological and psychosocial aspects of an illness or disability.
It focuseson the acquisition of nonmusical skills and behaviors, as determined by a
board certified music therapist through systematic assessment and treatment
planning.
Music therapy in the United States of America began in the late 18th century.
However, using music as a healing medium dates back to ancient times. This
is evident in biblical scriptures and historical writings of ancient civilizations
such as Egypt, China, India, Greece and Rome. Today, the power of music
remains the same but music is used much differently than it was in ancient times.
The profession of music therapy in the United States began to develop during
W.W.I when music was used in Veterans Administration Hospitals as an
intervention to address traumatic war injuries. Veterans actively and passively
engaged in music activities that focused on relieving pain perception. Numerous
doctors and nurses witnessed the effect music had on veterans’ psychological,
The Term Paper on School Of Music Majors Time Therapy
If you want to major in music, everyone knows the obvious choices are either performance or education. Many freshman come in with music scholarships-so why not try it out and see? I'm sure that the statistics of people who drop out of the school of music in their first or second year would make any pre-music major think that 'just trying and seeing' a is the way of looking at your college degree. ...
physiological, cognitive, and emotional state. Since then, colleges and universities
developed programs to train musicians how to use music for therapeutic purposes.
In 1950 a professional organization was formed by a collaboration of music
therapists that worked with veterans,mentally retarded, hearing/visually impaired,
and psychiatric populations This was the birth of the National Association for
Music Therapy (NAMT).
In 1998, NAMT joined forces with another music
therapy organization to become what is now known as the American Music
Therapy Association (AMTA).The American Music Therapy Association has specific curriculum requirements
including courses in research analysis, physiology, acoustics, psychology and music
and therapy; currently there are 68 undergraduate and 25 graduate programs
approved by the association across the nation. Upon completing the academic
program at either the bachelor s or master s level, a 6-month internship is required
at an AMTA approved clinical training site. Graduates must subsequently pass a
comprehensive examination administered by an independent certifying body, the
Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT), to earn the MT-BC credential
which needs to be maintained by taking continuing education courses in Music
Therapy and in related fields. Currently there are about 6000 certified music
therapists in North America.
Where do Music Therapists Work?
Music therapists work with over 60 different populations in nearly 60 different
settings, and the role of music therapy is still expanding. Common settings for music
therapy include psychiatric hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, medical hospitals,
outpatient clinics, day care treatment centers, residences for developmentally
disabled persons,community mental health centers, drug and alcohol programs,
senior centers, nursing homes, hospice programs, correctional facilities,
halfway houses, schools, and private practices.
Hospitalization can result not only in physical
stress from invasive treatments and therapies,but emotional stress as well from
The Term Paper on Music Therapy 3
... and personal development (Source: Canadian Association of Music Therapy). In other words, music therapy is the use of music by a trained professional to ... have board-certified music therapists on staff, the centers do use music as a means to help their patients. “Music can ... and have passed a national exam. However, less formal music programs can be helpful as well. Katherine Puckett, national ...
unexpected news, unfamiliar environments, inability to conduct normal activities and
lack of control. Music therapy in the medical setting provides patients a familiar and
positive way to cope with their hospitalization.Through successful music experiences,
patients can regain a sense of control, independence, and confidence. Music can be a
medium of communication and a strategy for refocusing attention during painful
procedures or long treatments such as hemodialysis, and a source of emotional
support. Music is clinically recognized to influence biological responses such as
heart rate, blood pressure, respiration rate, cardiac output, muscle tone,
pupillary responses, skin responses, the immune system, and endorphin
production. Music can entrain the body to calm or to accelerate depending on
what type of music is used. Sedative music can lower anxiety, pain, tension and
stress levels resulting in less use of anesthetics and pain medication, a shorter
recovery period, higher patient compliance and higher patient and family
satisfaction. Stimulative music can be a source of motivation both physically
and psychologically and becomes a positive reinforcement during physical
therapy and rehabilitation. In summary, Music therapy can contribute
significantly to medical care providing psychological and physical comfort
to patients with various needs.
