Informatics Publishing Limited

Milind Parle ¹, Ashwani Arya ²

Affiliations
1 Pharmacology Division, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology, Hisar (Haryana), IN
2 Pharmacology Division, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology, Hisar (Haryana), IN

Abstract

Anxiety disorders are manifested by hyper arousal of the central nervous system and intense feelings of fear, worry or apprehension. These disorders are highly prevalent and associated with substantial distress, morbidity and mortality. Music Therapy is based on the scientific use of tunes, sounds, rhythm, harmony and melody. Music is one of the most ancient methods of healing. In the light of above, it was thought to assess the usefulness of devotional music in fighting anxiety. This research project was carried out at Gupta Hospital, Hisar with the kind cooperation of psychiatrist Dr. Narender Kumar Gupta._MD. Forty indoor patients suffering from anxiety admitted at Gupta Hospital during the period from 1^st January to 31^st March, 2008 served as research participants. Both, male and female patients participated in this study. Medical history was recorded of each patient soon after admission. The mental state of patients suffering from anxiety was assessed by observing signs such as feelings of insecurity, irritability, restlessness, fears, insomnia and/or intellectual impairment. The level of anxiety for each patient was measured by the total score of above clinical signs. Fifteen patients, who were diagnosed to be suffering from anxiety disorder and received Music Therapy showed fast recovery from anxiety symptoms and exhibited normal behavior after 10 sessions of Music Therapy. The patients, who exhibited feelings of insecurity, irritability and/restlessness at the time of admission into the hospital showed stable emotional temperament after 10 sessions of Music Therapy. These patients, were comfortable, fearless and in a position to relax after receiving Music Therapy. Thus, Music Therapy had been successful in reversing various symptoms of anxiety and improved overall behavior, mental state and attitude of the patients.

Keywords

Anxiety, Music, Insomnia, Stress.

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Milind Parle ¹, Ashwani Arya ¹

Affiliations
1 Pharmacology Division, Department Pharm. Sciences, Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology, Hisar (Haryana), IN

Abstract

Music Therapy is growing as a profession globally, both in quantity and stature as a recognized treatment. In Italy, many physicians incorporate music into their medical practices. The United States of America, Russia, South Africa, Argentina, Norway, United Kingdom and Spain have well developed Music Therapy centres and active associations of music therapists. In India, classical music comprising of ragas has been employed for healing the Body- Mind -Soul complex. The purpose of any therapy is to improve the physical and mental well being of a person. Music Therapy is an innovative, artistic, scientific and evidence based method of restoring, maintaining and improving the emotional, physiological and psychological well-being of human beings of all ages and abilities through the power of music. Music knows no boundaries. It pervades everywhere irrespective of caste, creed, culture, national barriers or blood-brain barrier. Music can be found in every nook and corner of the world. It forms an integral part of our lives. Music represents an intriguing stimulus widely used in films to increase the emotional experience. The emotion processing brain structures are amygdala, hippocampus, parahippocampus, insula, striatum, medial ventral frontal cortex, cerebellum and fusiform gyrus. Music constitutes an ideal means to create a sense of suspense in movies. The efficacy of Music Therapy has been proven in patients suffering from a wide range of disabilities such as dementia, acute brain injury, Parkinson’s disease, cerebral palsy, autism, Alzheimer’s disease, depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, migraine, insomnia, chronic pain, and multiple sclerosis. Since Music Therapy is a non-invasive, enjoyable and cost-effective therapy, unique outcomes are possible.

Keywords

Music Therapy, Brain, Memory, Depression, Insomnia.

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