Activity-Based Music Therapy – Say Yes to Mental Well-being
The use of activity-based music as a form of therapy to address the physical, cognitive, emotional, or social well-being of people is known as music therapy. Activity-based music therapy services are beneficial to everyone irrespective of their age, culture, background, or health problems. The category of clients for whom music therapy is strongly recommended includes seniors suffering from neurocognitive disorders and conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and so on. The therapy is also good for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and other related disorders whose social skills, communication, and behavioral self-regulation require improvement.
The elderly, cognitive impairment patients such as those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia can also benefit from activity-based music therapy which can help stimulate memory, soothe agitation, and improve overall well-being. Other clients who can benefit from music therapy include stroke patients, patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease, or having traumatic head injuries where music therapy plays a major role in the rehabilitation of motor skills in the case of the client’s cognitive functions.
An activity-based music session can either be conducted individually between a client and a music therapist or in many cases, can be even more effective when a larger audience is involved. Group sessions have an additional effect of interaction with others, which is very helpful irrespective of the age of the clients involved in the sessions, whether young adults or seniors.
Activity-based music therapy can be beneficial for all especially geriatric clients who are succumbing to age-related issues. Let us understand how music therapy can alleviate your mood and contribute to overall well-being.
Providing Relief from Agitation
Certain types of music, based on their themes, instruments, and tempo, can do great work in calming agitation in clients, which is common among older adults suffering from Alzheimer’s and dementia. Such music therapies can help decrease the heart rate and reduce the levels of cortisol in the body, which are ways of relieving anxiety.
Motor Skills and Physical Improvement In Senior Clients
Music therapy is not only about passive listening; it is also active and physical. Activities like dancing, singing, or playing musical instruments can help enhance balance, physical coordination, and motor skills in the elderly.
If a senior person has lost his mobility due to age, music therapy may be adjusted to their capabilities to include light movements and stretching exercises to enhance flexibility and range of motion in the affected joints. This can also help to develop a feeling of physical wellness and improve general health.
Adding Music Therapy in caring for the elders brings with it many benefits such as cognitive improvement, emotional and mental health, as well as improvement in the physical and motor skills of seniors. With improvement in the quality of life in seniors with the help of music, one can appreciate music therapy as a powerful tool in the enhancement of the senior’s life.
Enhancement of Cognitive Abilities
Cognitive functioning in older adults may also be directly influenced by engaging in activity-based music therapy. Different regions of the brain are activated, which improves memory, concentration, and attention. The use of music can also show positive effects for elderly people suffering from any cognitive impairment as it is capable of improving functioning as well as arresting further decline of cognition.
As part of music-related activities and exercises, seniors get to take part in vocalization, rhythmic patterns, and even physical movements, all of which encourage the growth of neural connections and thus, brain plasticity. These activities may also serve to improve abilities such as problem-solving, communication, and creativity.
Mental and Emotional Well-being
Music is a form of art that stirs emotions and brings back memories. For older people, music is an avenue to recall emotions in positive aspects and helps to alleviate stress, anxiety, and depression. When elderly people listen to music or engage in music-based activities, their mood is enhanced, self-esteem is enriched and a sense of security and belonging is accomplished.
Studies also state that music therapy proves to be helpful in the treatment of other diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia among elderly patients. It can encourage better recalling of memories, improve cognitive abilities, and hence lead to better quality of life.
Improve Socialization Skills
Once older adults, especially those diagnosed with dementia and other neurological disorders, have been isolated for a while, they may exhibit social anxiety when placed in a social environment again. In this regard, music therapy becomes useful as it also eases such feelings enabling the senior clients to enjoy the presence of people around them as well as making music or dancing together even if it is only for a short while.
Improve Communication Skills
Activity-based music therapy is effective with memory care patients. It works because it helps with the preservation of spoken language functions. There are people with no means of speaking who may hum or wave their hands to express how they feel. Even singing is used as a way to reach the inner self, and that helps achieve one’s true feelings.
Increase Movement
Movement is one of the components of activity-based music therapy. This might mean anything from simple claps to taking arms and legs out and waving them to making sounds with instruments of every kind and every sound. Many times, the participants also make music together using various instruments and other tools. One such after-effect is that one would find oneself swaying and at times, even dancing to the rhythm in a beat, once one is calm and comfortable. Even individuals who are mostly seated, also enjoy such advantages.
Conclusion
Not only senior clients but even children and adults can benefit from activity-based music therapy sessions. These therapy sessions are targeted at improving psychological well-being, neurobiological mechanisms, and physical health. If you are someone who is facing limited mobility, low retention capabilities, stress, or dementia, an activity-based music therapy session can help you. These sessions are carried out by board-certified music therapists who will analyze your needs be they emotional or physical and curate the right music-based activities for you.