Negative Effects Of Music Therapy

Music therapy is most widely recognized as a theraputic technique treatment. There are two types of music therapy: passive music engagement (PME) and active music engagement (AME). PME includes listening to music while AME involves making music and playing instruments. The American Music Therapy Association describes music therapy as “an established health profession in which music is used within a therapeutic relationship to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals” (What is Music Therapy?). Even though music therapy is mainly therapeutic, it has shown significant physical and mental improvements as a treatment in cancer patients. Studies have shown that music therapy can be as affective as antidepressant medications

It is a common disorder that develops in cancer patients. According to the American Cancer Society, “Twenty-five percent of cancer patients develop depression, which is 7% of the general population” (qtd in Jennings). It can cause a loss of focus, feelings of sadness, and a sense of being “trapped”. Depression can also affect the recovery time of cancer patients after surgery or chemotherapy. Those who are trying to recover from surgery that have depression are more likely to have complications and have a more extensive visit to the hospital.. A study in Great Britain showed that those with moderate to severe depression or anxiety were more likely to have complications in their surgery and have a more extensive stay at the hospital (Britteon). The most widely used treatment for depression is antidepressant medications (ADM). ADM work by creating a balance of neurotransmitters in the brain that help improve mood, sleep, and appetite. Although, they can cause headaches and insomnia as well as “reduced blood clotting capacity because of a decreased concentration of the neurotransmitter seretonin in platelets” (What Are the Real Risks of Antidepressants?). ADM can also lead to a dependence on the medication or a drug tolerance where the brain does not respond to it over a long period of time. Although this is the largest treatment for treating depression, music therapy shows

Trials have been done on children with autism, cancer patients, and those with substance use disorders. In music therapy trials done on various cancer patients, significant positive affects have occured. Data collected from a study at Wake Forest Hospital in Winston-Salem, North Carolina showed significant improvements. The patients was diagnosed with Leukemia. The music therapy type was PME and the patient showed improvements in relaxation and heart rate normality (Boehm). Music therapy not only facilitates the brain and allows the patient to relax and be in touch with their