Theory of Music: Practical Applications to Nursing

1491 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Effects of music intellectually, emotionally, physically

Music has been used to aid in the healing process since Florence Nightingale first noticed its effect on her patients (Murrock & Higgins, 2009). Since then we have moved forward with the notion that music can be encouraging both for recovery and for treatment (Murrock & Higgins, 2009). There is evidence that music can promote psychological well-being and encourage movement (Dwyer, 1995; Macone, Baldari, Zelli & Guidetti, 2006). Music can also be used as a therapeutic route for expression, movement, and conceptualization (O’Callaghan, Barry, & Thompson, 2010). The aging population seems to benefit from music making as well, both in regards to those with dementia and those without dementia (Cevasco, 2010; Creech, Hallam, Varvarigou, McQueen & Gaunt, 2013). Music can also be self-administered, which allows it to be one of the more safe prescriptions for healing (Murrock & Higgins, 2009). Therefore we understand that music is one of the most useful therapies we have access to, and should not be afraid to use it in a broader setting as nurses.
Basic Music Theory
Murrock and Higgins (2009) developed a concept based on the neurological responses to music and their possible correlation to positive reinforcement when combined with the daily recommendations on exercise from the national guidelines. They wanted to encourage health optimization through physical exercise, positive neurologic responses to music, and behavioral development of routine exercise. Murrock and Higgins’ theory represents a coalescing of ideas that have been present for many years, such as the positive effect of music on patients first noted by Florence Nightingale. They believe that music could lead to positive health outcomes through enhancing patient’s mood. They...

... middle of paper ...

...exercise intrinsic motivation. Health Values: The Journal of Health Behavior, Education & Promotion, 19(2), 18-26.
Murrock, C., & Higgins, P. (2009). The theory of music, mood and movement to improve health outcomes. Journal Of Advanced Nursing, 65(10), 2249-2257. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2648.2009.05108.x.
Macone, D., Baldari, C., Zelli, A., & Guidetti, L. (2006). Music and physical activity in psychological well-being. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 103(1), 285- 295.
O'callaghan, C., Barry, P., & Thompson, K. (2012). Music's relevance for adolescents and young adults with cancer: A constructivist research approach. Supportive Care in Cancer, 20(4), 687-97.
Plante, T. G., Gustafson, C., Brecht, C., Imberi, J., & Sanchez, J. (2011). Exercising with an iPod, friend, or neither: Which is better for psychological benefits?. American Journal of Health Behavior, 35(2), 199-208.

Show More
Related

  • The Health Benefits of Exercise Programming

    1823 Words  | 4 Pages

    Pate et al. (1995) stated that physical activity is needed for health promotion and disease prevention. They also stated that every adult should do at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity exercise everyday if possible. Moderate intensity exercising includes activities such as brisk walking and cycling as stated by the Department of Health (2011). They also state that regular physical activity will improve a person’s mental health as it will increase self esteem and reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. Physical wellbeing is also enhanced by an increase in physical activity. The World Health Organisation (WHO) (2002) found that in developed countries 20% of heart disease and 10% of strokes are due to physical inactivity. Furthermore a lack of physical activity is found to cause 3% of all diseases.

    Read More

  • How It Works: Music Therapy

    2178 Words  | 5 Pages

    Scott, Elizabeth, M.S. “Music and Your Body: How Music Affects Us and Why Music Therapy

    Read More

  • Why Music Therapists Should be Employed in Every Hospital

    1840 Words  | 4 Pages

    Active music – Active music is the conception of live music by the patient, including instrument playing and music lessons. By doing this, the patient’s self-esteem i...

    Read More

  • The Effects of Listening to Music on Physical Performance

    2505 Words  | 6 Pages

    Priest, D.L. & Karageorghis, C.I. (2008). “A qualitative investigation into the characteristics and effects of music accompanying exercise.” European Physical Education Review, 14: 347-367.

    Read More

  • Essay On Dementia Music Therapy

    856 Words  | 2 Pages

    To begin with, music can be therapeutic and relaxing. Those with dementia are often in hospitals or nursing homes and often go through the same routine everyday. Music can be a diversion to those struggles and repetitive routines that they have to face and instead help them focus on something that can bring happiness and enjoyment into their lives. Not to mention, “a number of studies have concluded that music interventions, such as music listening or group music therapy sessions, were associated with reduced agitation in persons with dementia (Groene, 1993; Clark et al., 1998; Gerdner, 2000; Sung et al., 2006; Janata, 2012)” (Johnson & Chow, 2015). Music therapy can be a way for these patients to release stress and anger that they otherwise may take out on their caregivers. Additionally, “sound and music have also been shown to achieve clear effects on vital parameters like blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and heart rate variability” (Raglio,Filippi, Bellandi, & Stramba-Badiale, 2014). Just like an upbeat song can increase blood pressure and increase the heart rate, a calm song and decrease blood pressure and decrease the heart rate. The examples given are just a short list of what music has to offer when it comes to those with dementia it also has the ability to meet social, psychological, and cognitive goals, as

    Read More

  • Music And Therapy: The Importance Of Music Therapy

    1116 Words  | 3 Pages

    Many Cancer patients use music to stay strong throughout their treatments to help them cope with the anxiety, pain, and depression. Some studies show that music rehabilitation can help adolescents with cancer to manage, by encouraging them to collaborate and interconnect. Being able to cope with major decisions that are thrown at you in life can cause stress which can lead to other things; being able to calm down by listening to music is a great way to keep patients from causing their self harm. There wouldn’t be a need for any medication that the patient will have to take on a daily basis to deal with anxiety, stress, and depression.

    Read More

  • The Physiological and Psychological Effects of Music

    838 Words  | 2 Pages

    Whether you’re a devoted music enthusiast or you just listen to the radio to pass time, we all listen to music. However, when listening to music, nobody stops to think about what they are doing. Nobody stops to contemplate how the music they are listening to affects them psychologically. We just listen to the music and enjoy ourselves. In fact however, a great deal of research has been done to determine the psychophysiological effects of music. Many studies have been conducted to determine whether music can help people who suffer from psychological and medical disorders, Scholars continually debate whether music can influence behavior, and researchers are attempting to understand what is happening in our brain when we listen to music.

    Read More

  • Music Therapy

    559 Words  | 2 Pages

    I’m writing my paper on Music Therapy, and how music affects the mind and body, to treat various illnesses. Music therapy is the prescribed use of music under the direction of specially trained therapists to influence changes in negative conditions and behavior. It accomplishes this by maintaining and restoring mental, physical, emotional and spiritual health .One type of theory is the idea that music, movement, and speech are inseparable. Music evokes unconscious thoughts and feelings, which in turn expand self-awareness. Music therapy is a powerful and non-invasive form of sensory stimulation which provokes responses due to the familiarity, predictability, and feelings of security associated with it. In some medical settings such as mental health services, it has been used to decrease patient’s perception of pain, anxiety and depression. ICU patients listening to music showed a significant decrease in blood pressure. It has been shown to calm the patient and to relax their mind and body. Music eases the burden on the arteries and nerves through relaxation. Du...

    Read More

  • Alzheimer's Music Therapy

    1525 Words  | 4 Pages

    Phaneuf, M. (2014). Music as a nursing intervention, not as crazy as it sounds. Retrieved from:

    Read More

  • The Importance Of Music Therapy

    1067 Words  | 3 Pages

    What is music and how does it help patients? Using music helps when the day is tough, and my body is full of anxiety and unhappiness. People like to say, that music can calm the savage beast, according to Snyder, & Linguist, (2009) This literature review will discuss how

    Read More

  • Interprofessional Evidence-Based Practice

    919 Words  | 2 Pages

    The participants were recruited based on the qualifications of being older than 65 years, scoring 0.5-1 on the Clinical Dementia Rating scale, and a primary caregiver willing to volunteer in the study (Cheung, Ho, Lai, Lai, & Wong, 2015). Staff for the study, consisting of social workers and occupational therapists, were recruited by posters (Cheung et al., 2015). The staff took a training course and all came up with a protocol for the music-with-movement intervention, with the aims to promote the wellbeing of people with dementia, and also their primary caregiver. A music therapist constructed various songs for specific activities for the people with dementia to engage in with their

    Read More

  • Josh Clark Music Therapy

    1161 Words  | 3 Pages

    In order to understand why the use of music therapy is growing, one must know what exactly music therapy is. Music Therapy is an established health profession in which music is used within a therapeutic relationship to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals. Music therapy also provides avenues for communicati...

    Read More

  • Pop Culture: Music is a Positive Influence

    1178 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...cott, Elizabeth. "Music and Your Body: How Music Affects Us and Why Music Therapy Promotes Health." . N.p., 10 Apr. 2014. Web. 29 Apr. 2014. .

    Read More

  • The MMM Middle-Range Theory and How it should be Implemented in Nursing

    1165 Words  | 3 Pages

    Physical activity has been linked to decreasing the risk of developing breast and colon cancers, cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes mellitus, depression, and risk of falls (World Health Organization, 2013). The World Health Organization has outlined a generic thirty minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity five times per week as a standard for acquiring health benefits (2013). Unfortunately, the majority of the population does not attain these minimum physical activity requirements (Johnson & Taylor, 2011). Nowadays, physical inactivity is the fourth leading risk factor for mortality in the world (World Health Organization, 2013). Effective strategies to improve the participation in physical activity are desperately needed (Johnson & Taylor, 2011). The middle-range theory proposed by Murrock and Higgins suggests that music, mood, and movement (MMM) can play a role in effecting participation in and intensity of physical activity and in turn, improve health outcomes (2009). More specifically, there are three theoretical statements that are of importance for this theory.

    Read More

  • The Effects of Music on Memory

    2780 Words  | 6 Pages

    Despite the miniscule negative effects of music on memory, the powerful ability of music to trigger memory production and recall is undeniably beneficial. The profound effect of music on memory and learning makes music a great tool for helping people who want to improve cognitive function, whether they need to receive treatment for a mental illness or learn new information. Music has proven to be a wonderful tool in the arena of improving the symptoms of patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Music has the power to “shift mood, manage stress-induced agitation, stimulate positive interactions, facilitate cognitive function, and coordinate motor movements” (Clair). With all of these positive benefits, music is undeniably advantageous.

    Read More

More about Theory of Music: Practical Applications to Nursing

Open Document