Equinox
Issue
The role of music in mental health
treatment
By Bedanto Bhattacharjee
Author Biography
My name is Bedanto Bhattacharjee and I am an 11th grader pursuing science. I am based
out of Kolkata, West Bengal. I find Biology and Chemistry fascinating and intend to pursue
medicine. I have an immense passion for music, and if you don’t see me with a guitar, you will
find me on the athletics track, practising my runs and jumps. Alongside music and sports, I
volunteer at CRY, an NGO, teaching kids Math and English.
Abstract
A review and meta-analysis of music therapy (de Witte, 2019) found an overall beneficial
effect on stress-related outcomes. Research suggests that music engagement not only shapes
our personal and cultural identities but also plays a role in mood regulation. Moreover, music
can be used to help in addressing serious mental health and substance use disorders. Music
has been an integral part of human culture for millennia, serving as a medium for expression,
communication, and community bonding. In recent decades, the therapeutic potential of music
has garnered significant attention, particularly in the realm of mental health. Music therapy,
an evidence-based practice, employs music to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and
social needs of individuals. This article is aimed at showing the role of music in mental health
treatment.
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Equinox
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Introduction condition that disrupts a person’s thinking,
feeling, mood, behavior, daily functioning,
The influence of music on the and ability to relate to others (NAMI, 2019)
human psyche can be understood through and may be associated with significant
several psychological and neuroscientific distress or disability in social, occupational,
theories. One such theory is the “Mozart academic, or other important activities. This
Effect” (Rauscher & Shaw, 1998), which paper aims to answer how music affects
suggests that listening to Mozart’s music the brain and helps in alleviating mental
can temporarily enhance spatial-temporal illnesses.
reasoning abilities. While the validity of the
Mozart Effect is debated, it underscores the Long before the advent of psychology
broader principle that music can significantly and neuroscience as academic disciplines,
impact cognitive functions and emotional music was an integral part of community
states. From a neuroscientific perspective, and cultural practices for its healing
music engages multiple brain areas involved properties. Greek physicians employed
in emotion, memory, and reward processing. instrumental vibrations to aid digestion,
Research has shown that music can enhance mental well-being, and promote
stimulate the release of dopamine (Dolan, sleep. Throughout history, music in its
2019), a neurotransmitter associated with various forms has been acknowledged for
pleasure and reward. This neural activation its ability to evoke profound emotions,
can foster emotional well-being and mitigate provide healing to both performers and
symptoms of mental health disorders such listeners, and foster social cohesion.
as depression and anxiety. Music therapy Recent neuroscientific and psychological
has shown promise in providing a safe and research has illuminated the mental and
supportive environment for healing trauma physical benefits of experiencing music,
and building resilience while decreasing whether through listening or training.
anxiety levels and improving the functioning Listening to music triggers the release of
of depressed individuals. Music therapy is biochemical mediators such as endorphins,
an evidence-based therapeutic intervention endocannabinoids, dopamine, and nitric
(AMTA, 2005) using music to accomplish oxide, which can aid in emotional regulation
health and education goals, such as and the management of neurological
improving mental wellness, reducing stress disorders through music therapy. The
and alleviating pain. Music therapy is offered increase in dopamine levels from listening
in settings such as schools and hospitals. to music can enhance mental health and
Research supports that engaging in music- reduce stress. Additionally, listening to
making activities, such as drumming circles, pleasant music activates brain regions
songwriting, or group singing, can facilitate associated with reward and pleasure.
emotional release, promote self-reflection,
and create a sense of community. Listening to and processing music
activates not just one hemisphere or a
specific region of the brain, but various
Impact of Music on the Brain cerebral structures in combination. The
network that processes musical emotions
According to the World Health includes areas such as the insula and
Organization, mental health can be defined the limbic system, which comprises the
as the state of well-being wherein an amygdala, hippocampus, and their cortical
individual realizes their own potential, can and subcortical connections (Koelsch,
cope with the normal stresses of life, can 2014). While listening to music already
work productively, and is able to make a has strong benefits for well-being, playing
contribution to their community (WHO, and interacting with music are even more
2022). On the other hand, mental illness is a
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effective in improving certain neural, An AARP (formerly the American
cognitive, and even social mechanisms. Association of Retired Persons) survey on
music and brain health revealed intriguing
findings regarding the impact of music
Music Therapy on cognitive and emotional well-being
(Mehegan, 2020):
Music therapy encompasses a variety
of techniques and methods, each tailored to
Music listeners scored higher for mental
the individual’s needs. Active music therapy
well-being and had slightly lower levels of
involves the client actively creating music
anxiety and depression compared to the
through singing, playing instruments, or
general population.
composing songs (Schneider et al., 2022).
This form of therapy encourages self-
Among respondents who currently attend
expression and emotional release. Receptive
musical performances, 69% rated their
music therapy, on the other hand, involves
brain health as “excellent” or “very good,”
listening to music selected by the therapist.
compared to 58% of those who attended
This can facilitate relaxation, reflection,
in the past and 52% of those who never
and emotional processing. The settings for
attended.
music therapy can be individual or group-
based. Individual music therapy allows for
Of those who were often exposed to music
personalized interventions, while group
as children, 68% rated their ability to learn
music therapy fosters social interaction
new things as “excellent” or “very good,”
and support among participants, which can
compared to 50% of those who were not
be particularly beneficial for individuals
exposed to music.
experiencing social isolation or interpersonal
difficulties.
Active musical engagement, including
among those over age 50, was associated
Numerous studies have
with higher rates of happiness and better
demonstrated the effectiveness of music
cognitive function.
therapy in treating a variety of mental health
conditions. For instance, a meta-analysis
Adults with no early music exposure but
of randomized controlled trials found
who currently engage in some form of music
that music therapy significantly reduced
appreciation showed above-average mental
symptoms of depression compared to
well-being scores.
standard care (Tang et al., 2020). Similarly,
research has shown that music therapy can
alleviate anxiety, with participants reporting Applications of Music
lower anxiety levels and improved emotional
states after therapy sessions (Lu et al.,
Therapy
2021).
Depression
In the context of Post-Traumatic Music therapy helps individuals
Stress Disorder (PTSD), music therapy with depression by promoting emotional
has been employed to help individuals expression and providing a sense of
process traumatic memories and reduce accomplishment through musical creation.
hyperarousal symptoms. A study involving It can also distract from negative thoughts
military veterans with PTSD found and foster a sense of community in group
that music therapy led to significant settings (Tang et al., 2020).
improvements in mood, emotional
regulation, and social functioning (Bensimon
et al., 2008).
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Anxiety Social Connection
Music therapy employs techniques Group music therapy sessions can foster
such as guided imagery with music to social interaction and build a sense of
induce relaxation and reduce physiological community. Shared musical experiences can
symptoms of anxiety, such as rapid enhance feelings of belonging and reduce
heartbeat and muscle tension. Listening to social isolation.
calming music has been shown to decrease
cortisol levels, a biomarker of stress (Lu et
al., 2021).
Limitations
Despite its benefits, music therapy
Autism Spectrum Disorders faces several challenges. Research
Music therapy can enhance limitations include small sample sizes and
communication and social skills in variability in intervention protocols, which
individuals with autism. Rhythmic activities can affect the generalizability of findings.
and musical games encourage interaction The field requires more robust research to
and can improve language development and address methodological limitations, such
social engagement (Yellow Bus ABA, 2024). as small sample sizes and lack of control
groups, to strengthen the evidence base.
Cultural considerations are also crucial, as
Alzheimer’s and Dementia music preferences and responses can vary
Music therapy can stimulate widely across different cultural contexts.
memories and improve the quality of life for Ensuring culturally sensitive approaches
individuals with Alzheimer’s and dementia. in music therapy is essential for its
Familiar music can evoke positive emotions effectiveness. Music therapists must be
and reduce agitation, while group singing culturally sensitive and adapt interventions
and musical activities can enhance social to suit the cultural backgrounds of clients.
interaction (Northwestern Medicine, 2022). Accessibility remains a significant issue,
with many individuals lacking access to
music therapy services due to financial,
Mechanisms of Action geographical, or institutional barriers.
Expanding access and integrating music
Emotional Expression therapy into mainstream mental health
services could enhance its reach and
Music offers a medium for expressing
impact.
complex emotions that might be difficult
to articulate verbally. Engaging with music
allows individuals to process and express Future of Music Therapy
feelings in a supportive environment.
The future of music therapy holds
exciting possibilities with advancements
Stress Reduction
in technology, such as virtual reality and
Music therapy promotes relaxation AI, potentially enhancing therapeutic
and stress reduction through physiological experiences. Integrating music therapy with
changes such as lowered heart rate and other treatment modalities could provide
blood pressure. Listening to soothing music more comprehensive care for individuals
can activate the parasympathetic nervous with mental health conditions. Moreover,
system, reducing stress responses. increased policy support and funding are
essential to expand the availability and
recognition of music therapy services.
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Conclusion Lu, G., Jia, R., Liang, D., Yu, J., Wu, Z., &
Chen, C. (2021). Effects of music therapy
Music therapy offers a powerful and on anxiety: A meta-analysis of randomized
versatile tool for addressing a wide range of controlled trials. Psychiatry Research,
mental health conditions. By engaging the 304, 114137. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.
brain’s emotional and cognitive systems, psychres.2021.114137
music therapy can promote emotional
well-being, reduce stress, and enhance Mehegan, L. (2020, June 30). 2020 AARP
social connection. While challenges Music and Brain Health Survey. AARP. https://
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advancements hold the potential to further health/brain-health-and-music/
integrate music therapy into mental health
treatment, making it more accessible and National Alliance on Mental Illness. (2020).
effective for diverse populations. About mental illness. NAMI California.
https://namica.org/what-is-mental-illness/
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