Music -- Physiological effect; Music, Influence of
Listening to music may stimulate the patient to talk about his
condition or about things that trouble him. Altshuler[3] feels that
where large groups of patients must be treated with limited personnel,
such as exists in hospitals which handle cases of war neuroses,
group treatment is the only solution, and that when there is group
psychotherapy music is indispensable, for it not only can “turn any
aggregation of people into an ‘organic’ group. It is one of the
mightiest socializing agents.”
Harrington[43] believes that music has an important place in the mental
hospital although he regards technical instruction for heterogeneous
groups unworthy of the effort. He is convinced that, “Mass singing has
therapeutic value, and that subdued instrumental music during mealtimes
is desirable.”
According to Kraines[54]
“Recreation and hobbies are also extremely important energy release
techniques. The apparently passive listening to music may accomplish
release of energy. The passivity is only seeming. The person following
the music tends by identification to swing muscularly with the music,
nodding his head, tapping his feet; and even when there is no manifest
movement, there is often a non-observable but yet definite movement.
In many forms of music such rhythmic movements can be performed only
by relaxed muscles; and tense persons who are influenced by harmonious
music are perforce relaxed. Some sanatariums very effectively utilize
dancing to music as a means of relaxing patients. Moreover in this
general relaxation and harmonious appeal to the senses, the person
“feels” that peace and harmony do exist outside himself and will
continue to exist despite his own troubles; and by such general
“feeling tone”, the person puts aside his conflicts for the while.
On the other hand some types of music will stimulate persons into
increased activity (e.g. martial music, dance music) by reason of the
tendency to make rapid and staccato rhythmic movement in time with
the music. The rhythmic muscle movement can, under the influence of
a skillful composer, increase to such a pitch as to make the person
excited, exhilarated, etc. Outlets for energy release should be
selected which will give enjoyment to the patient.”
In chronic mental institutions the patient band has been found most
valuable. Pierce[66] believes that
“Music can be a co-operative effort for a wholesome discipline.
It tends to break down the sense of isolation so common to mental
disease. It assists in adaptation to the mental state.
“First, playing must be made a pleasure to the members. This means
there must be no severity of discipline and great tact must be
exercised in correcting errors--preferably privately so as not to be
humiliating to the patient.
“Second, have some easy numbers: otherwise the results may discourage
the patients.
“Public appearances away from the hospital have the advantages of
enhancing self respect and pride.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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