Before we kick start, I would like to give us an idea of what the word “DIVERSIONAL THERAPY “ means. Diversional therapy is a practice that places the client at the center( it is client-focused, the client is being brought to the foreground), acknowledging that leisure, as well as recreational and creative activities, are the entitlements of the client(s).
There is a lot of diversional therapy which are in existence. Diversional Therapies like guided imagery, cryotherapy e.t.c
But our main focus would be on Music as a Diversional Therapy. Many may wonder and few still ask questions like Can music be used as a therapy? Most people even regard music therapy as a fallacy or well put a false science with no evidence. I will address these questions and shed more light on how music is being used as a diversional therapy.
Another name that can be used to address Music being used as a diversional therapy is “MUSIC THERAPY”.
What is MUSIC THERAPY?
Music is used as a diversional therapy is simply the practice of arousing a client’s response and attitudes towards achieving desired outcomes that promotes well-being through the use of music. Another question that people ask is where can music therapy be applied? Music therapy can be applied virtually anywhere but in most cases, it is used in hospital settings, correctional centers, nursing homes as well as rehabilitative and palliative centers.
Studies have been conducted on Music as a diversional therapy and it has been proven that music plays a vital role in the lives of people. A survey was conducted for a group of people in a clinical setting who constantly reported being in severe pain (chronic pain). When music was played it was recorded that the degree to which they complained was reduced by 15%. How possible can this be? Further experiments were conducted and it was discovered that when music was played, the melody from the song being played interacted with the nociceptors(pain receptors) present in the brain reducing the activities of these receptors.
Further studies reveal that music has really helped clients/patients who were scheduled for surgical or medical procedures reduce their level of anxiety. This reduction in anxiety levels has helped to control the rise in their blood pressure and heart rate. A survey was carried out by a group of anesthesiologists on patients who listened to music before their scheduled time of operation. The research showed that those who listened to music had a lesser induction time (the rate at which the anesthetic agent began to work was quite fast and the amount or dosage of this agent was reduced by one-quarter).
Music as a diversional therapy has also proven to be very helpful in children with learning disabilities and senior citizens with neurodegenerative disorders (children with autism, dyslexic children, demented patients.) music has proven to help them boost their memory and also has helped them to interact with their peers.
Recently scientists, as well as psychologists, have shown that when a client listens to desirable music, a chemical substance and a neurotransmitter called “DOPAMINE” (otherwise called happy hormone) are being released from the brain, this helps to reduce stress and lowers depression in clients who are depressed.
Questions have risen up like what kind of genre of music should be played for these patients or clients? Who should play the music?
Music with a slow tempo has been suggested to be used in diversional therapy and a skilled professional who is also called a Music Therapist should play the song/music.
Music has really proven to be a very vital component in our lives which can promote wellbeing.
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